Pediatric Sleep Center
ONLINE EVENT 12/3 through 12/10: Dr. Haviva Veler, Director of the Pediatric Sleep Center at Weill Cornell, is taking your questions about children and sleep isues on NYP's Facebook page from 12/3 through 12/10. Dr. Veler will then respond to as many questions as possible via a video response, to be posted later. Visit the Ask A NYP Doc page or email your questions to facebook@nyp.org
Sleep disorders and breathing disorders during sleep are among the most common issues parents deal with in childhood. These
disorders may result in daytime dysfunction including learning and behavioral disabilities, as well as long term pulmonary, endocrine and heart disease. Obtaining a diagnosis and managing sleep problems early may help children avoid consequences that can affect them in adulthood.
At the Pediatric Sleep Center at Weill Cornell, we offer expert diagnosis, treatment and care for sleep disorders for children of all ages. Led by Dr. Haviva Veler, MD, our pediatric sleep team is skilled in the evaluation and management of children with behavioral and physiological sleep disorders. Dr. Veler is board certified in Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology and in Sleep Medicine, and is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. We know the importance of your pediatrician in the comprehensive care of your child, and will promptly and thoroughly communicate with him or her – your child's pediatrician is always part of our care team.
Our Mission
At the Pediatric Sleep Center, we strive to:
- Provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic evaluation and management with a family centered and patient centered care approach
- Educate patients, parents, healthcare trainees and practitioners and the general community about sleep and sleep disorders
- Conduct research to gain a better understanding of normal and abnormal sleep in children.
Treatment of Sleep Disorders
In young children, the most common reason for sleep apnea is enlarged tonsils and adenoids and surgical removal of these structures will resolve the apnea in most cases. In other cases, young patients have other reasons for apnea, such as obesity, narrow facial structure, muscle weakness, or residual apnea after surgical interventions. Our areas of expertise include:
- Sleep disordered breathing such as sleep apnea, snoring
- Behavioral problems such as bedtime struggles, night awakenings
- Sleep walking and sleep terrors
- Narcolepsy
- Apnea of Infancy
- Sleep schedule abnormalities such as Circadian rhythm disorders, delayed sleep phase syndrome
- Sleeplessness
- Movement disorders including periodic limb movement disorder and head banging
- Upper airway abnormalities
- Breathing problems occurring at night that are secondary to an underlying disease, such as muscle weakness or chronic lung disease
Multidisciplinary, One-Stop Care – Your Child's Sleep Team
Affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Phyllis and David Komansky Center for Children's Health/Weill Cornell Medical Center, part of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, we can provide our patients with cutting-edge procedures and technology in one of the nation's leading medical facilities for treatment and patient care.
At the Pediatric Sleep Center at Weill Cornell, our team includes leading specialists in:
- Pediatric pulmonology
- Child development
- Child neurology
- Pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
We also collaborate with top specialists in:
- Pediatric dentistry
- Pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT)
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Pediatric cardiology
- Other specialists as needed
The Sleep Study -- An Introduction
Our approach to diagnosis begins with a comprehensive sleep history and physical examination. The definitive diagnosis is done by polysomnography, also known as an overnight sleep study. The study involves attaching leads at various points on the child’s body to monitor sleep quality and structure, the effort of breathing, oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide levels, as well as heart rhythms, muscle tone, and leg movements. Children are encouraged to bring comfort items from home such as a favorite blanket or movie.
Patients are monitored for the quality and quantity of their sleep, as well as breathing patterns and body movements. A sleep technologist provides continuous monitoring during the study. Most sleep studies are done overnight. We also offer a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), which is a test that is done during the day, quantifies sleepiness, and serves as the diagnostic test for narcolepsy.
Our Sleep Facility – Just for Pediatric Patients
Our sleep center offers a warm and friendly environment tailored to the needs of children and adolescents of all ages:
- Kid-friendly decor and furniture
- Overnight rooms equipped with WiFi, televisions, and DVD players
- Accommodations for one parent or guardian to spend the night
- Continuous monitoring during the study by technicians trained in pediatric care
Our Special Areas of Expertise:
Technology-Dependent Children and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Technologically-Dependent Children: We offer special expertise and support for technology-dependent children. Our team will:
- set up non-invasive ventilation (CPAP or BiPAP)
- provide ongoing support
- communicate with home care companies and nursing companies reassess the continuing need for treatment
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: The prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is between 1-3% in the pediatric population. The most common symptom of OSA is snoring. In young children, while the most common cause of snoring and apnea is enlarged tonsils and adenoids, there are other underlying conditions that may contribute to sleep apnea, such as obesity, a narrow facial structure, or muscle weakness.
For Referring Physicians -- Referring to the Sleep Lab
Referrals to the sleep laboratory can be done by a child's Pediatrician, ENT physician, Neurologist or by a Sleep Specialist. Sometimes, it is necessary for the sleep specialists to evaluate the child before scheduling a sleep study, in order to tailor the sleep study to the child's need, e.g., possible need for a pH probe if acid reflux is a concern.
Children 2-18 years that are otherwise healthy and are referred for a sleep study due to snoring in the context of enlarged tonsils/adenoids or obesity, can be referred directly to the sleep lab.
Referral forms for the sleep lab can be obtained by email or fax by calling 646-962-3410.
