Sleep is essential for a child's health, growth and development. When a child struggles to breathe while sleeping, it can affect everything from learning and behavior to overall quality of life.
At Phoenix Children's, we're helping children find relief through advanced treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation. As one of the nation's leading pediatric programs for this therapy, our team provides comprehensive, specialized care for children who have not found success with traditional treatment options.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep. As a result, breathing may stop and start many times throughout the night.
Children with sleep apnea may experience:
- Loud snoring
- Restless sleep
- Daytime fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Behavioral challenges
- Learning difficulties
While sleep apnea can affect any child, it is especially common among children with Down syndrome due to differences in airway anatomy and muscle tone.
When Traditional Treatments Aren't Enough
For many children, removing the tonsils and adenoids can improve sleep apnea symptoms. Others may benefit from continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
But some children continue to struggle even after these treatments. That's where hypoglossal nerve stimulation may offer another path forward.
What Is Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation?
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is an implanted device that works with the body's natural breathing patterns during sleep.
The therapy gently stimulates the nerve that controls tongue movement, helping keep the airway open and reducing breathing interruptions throughout the night. Unlike CPAP therapy, there is no mask to wear while sleeping.
For the right patients, the therapy can be life-changing, leading to improved sleep quality and better overall well-being. Families often report meaningful improvements in their child's daily life after treatment.
What Makes Phoenix Children's Different?
Experience matters, especially when it comes to advanced therapies for children.
Phoenix Children's has developed one of the highest-volume pediatric hypoglossal nerve stimulation programs in the country and has cared for one of the nation's largest groups of pediatric patients receiving this therapy. That experience allows our team to evaluate complex cases, personalize treatment plans and deliver highly specialized care.
But it's not just our experience that sets us apart.
Our program brings together experts from multiple specialties who work collaboratively to determine the best treatment plan for each child. Depending on a patient's needs, their care team may include specialists in:
- Sleep medicine
- Otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat)
- Developmental pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Nutrition
- Additional pediatric specialties
This multidisciplinary approach ensures families benefit from a complete picture of their child's health and access to coordinated care throughout their journey.
A Careful, Personalized Evaluation
Not every child with sleep apnea is a candidate for hypoglossal nerve stimulation.
At Phoenix Children's, children undergo a thorough evaluation that may include sleep studies, medical review and specialized airway assessments. Our team carefully examines the cause of a child's sleep apnea to determine whether this therapy is the best option or if another treatment may provide better results.
This thoughtful approach helps ensure children receive the treatment that is right for them, not just the newest available option.
Support Every Step of the Way
The journey doesn't end after surgery.
Our dedicated team supports families through every phase of care, from evaluation and treatment planning to device activation, follow-up visits and long-term management. Care coordinators help families navigate appointments, testing and ongoing adjustments, ensuring children continue to benefit from therapy as they grow.
Families are never navigating the process alone.
Advancing the Future of Pediatric Sleep Care
Phoenix Children's is also helping shape the future of care for children with sleep apnea.
Our specialists actively track outcomes, study patient experiences and participate in research designed to improve treatment for future patients. By combining innovation, clinical expertise and compassionate care, we are committed to helping more children achieve healthier sleep and better quality of life.
Helping Children Thrive
When children sleep better, they can learn better, grow stronger and enjoy life more fully.
For families facing persistent sleep apnea, Phoenix Children's offers access to nationally recognized expertise, a coordinated team of specialists and advanced treatment options tailored to each child's unique needs. Together, we're helping children breathe easier, sleep better and thrive.