Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 9 {Sleepless in Salt Lake City and Sleep Study Advocate}

I've already posted about this activity.  This night's activity got lost in the shuffle of getting ready for Morgan's sleep study and church basketball.   


As a side note, I got lots of comments from moms of kiddos with Ds stating their child must not need a sleep study because their doctor hasn't ever mentioned it to them or their child has no symptoms of sleep apnea.  Google "Sleep apnea and Down syndrome" and see what results you get.  Research shows that at least 50% of  people with Ds have sleep apnea.  One research group at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that all 53 of their participants had sleep apnea, and occurred more often in children.  Yes, 100% and most parents reported their child had no symptoms of a sleep disturbances.  This hospital and study now recommends every child with Ds have an objective sleep study test.  Another study suggests that sleep apnea could be the cause for dementia in later years not Alzheimer's Disease.  It's all about advocating for your child.  Most pediatricians are not informed about the connection of Down syndrome and sleep apnea.  Mine wasn't but I requested it and ended up having to explain the reasons to him, and large tonsils and adenoids are not the only cause it can also be caused by a large tongue, blockage of the airway by movement of the tongue during sleep, low muscle tone of the area of the airway just below the throat. (found on Dr. Leshin's site).  Sleep apnea causes irreversible pulmonary hypertension and the symptoms are silent.  It's worth getting that sleep study!

4 comments:

Tara said...

I commented before, but I really appreciated this info. I called today to get the ball rolling for Eon. I'll let you know how it goes!

Unknown said...

Just wondering what age the sleep study should be given. My son Colton is going to be 1 on the 27th, we already know he had largomalyasia (floppiness of the voice box) and enlarged adnoids. He use to be a very noisy breather as a baby but has become more quiet the older he is getting.

heather said...

We did Morgan's first sleep study right around 1 year old. I think your son should get it done asap with having largomalyasia and enlarge adenoids. Any plan of getting his tonsils and adenoids removed?

tamara said...

Thanks for the heads up on this....my son is 3 and it's never been mentioned. Our doctor has only asked (once) if he snores....I'll be checking this out at our next appointment!