Now Open!!!!

Chicagoland's 1^st Freestanding Sleep Center Dedicated to Pediatric and Adolescent Sleep Disorder Testing!

The Merit Centers for Sleep Health have been performing pediatric and adolescent sleep studies for over nine years. Although all of Merit's sleep technicians and polysomnographers have been trained for testing children, Merit has developed both a specially trained professional team and specially designed sleep testing facility dedicated to the very unique needs and the testing for sleep disorders of pediatrics and adolescents. Merit's pediatric and adolescent Medical Director, a nationally respected pediatric sleep specialist and psychiatrist, oversees the program to ensure the timely and accurate identification and diagnosis of over 100 different types of sleep disorders that can affect children.

The new dedicated sleep center offers:

• Convenient, easily accessible suburban location with child and adolescent friendly accommodations
• Private hotel-like bedroom/bathroom suites with parent sleeping accommodations both in the child's room and in separate accommodation rooms
• Parent lounge with satellite televisions and free WI-FI internet connections
• Experienced, specially trained pediatric and adolescent professionals
• Sleep center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (the highest standard in sleep medicine)
• Identification of over 100 different known sleep disorders
• Continuum of care with many treatment options for children and parents
• Simple referral and scheduling process — simply call one toll-free number
• All patients can be scheduled and tested within 1 week
• Fast, easy-to-understand interpretations within 5-7 business days
• Fast-track results within 24-48 hours if indicated
• Tests available for children ages 2 and up

Merit Quality, Comfort, Privacy & Safety You've Come to Expect

Your patients and children deserve the best, most specialized care by only the most skilled and trained pediatric professionals. Choose Merit!!!

A Guide to Pediatric and Adolescent Sleep Disorders

The Importance of a Good Night's Sleep

Quality sleep is vital for your child's health, development, learning and safety. Children of all ages can demonstrate inadequate sleep with the following daytime behaviors:

• Tiredness
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Easy Frustration
• Difficulty focusing attention in school
• Difficulty controlling impulses and emotions

Chronic sleep deprivation in children may be overlooked or erroneously attributed to hyperactivity or attention disorders, while in fact, treating sleep problems may be enough to eliminate behavioral issues. Children tend to overcompensate and speed up when they are tired, thus confusing potential sleep disorders with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Common sleep disorders that children experience are:

• Sleep Apnea — which may occur in normal or overweight children who snore, have restless sleep and wake with headaches. Daytime symptoms include excessive sleepiness and hyperactivity.
• Night Terrors — which include sudden awakenings in the first third of the night, screaming, sweating, rapid heart rate and confusion.
• Sleep Walking — which is characterized by walking or other activity while still asleep.
• Sleep Talking — which is the utterance of speech or sounds during sleep without awareness.
• Bed Wetting — which is considered a disorder if it occurs more than twice per month after age six.
• Narcolepsy — which is distinguished by episodes of frequent and uncontrollable daytime sleep attacks despite adequate sleep at night.

What Are The Next Steps?

Seek A Sleep Specialist

Merit physicians are Diplomates of the American Board of Sleep Medicine (D, ABSM) and are available to evaluate your child's suspected sleep disorder.

Assessment & Diagnosis

Your child's sleep specialist will conduct a comprehensive physical and behavioral exam. If further evaluation is needed, an overnight sleep study at Merit's Pediatric & Adolescent Center for Sleep Health may be scheduled.

Treatment Options

After your child's sleep specialist reviews the test results, a treatment plan will be discussed which may include:

• Medications
• Behavioral adaptations
• CPAP or oxygen therapy
• Diet, exercise and a weight-loss plan
• An appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, pulmonologist, neurologist or pediatric psychiatrist.

Tips to Improve Your Child's Sleep

Your child's sleep pattern may just need to be regulated!

• Establish a sleep routine by going to bed and waking at the same time every day, including weekends.
• Avoid stimulants at least four hours prior to bedtime including caffeine, sugary drinks, candies and certain stimulant medications.
• Create a quiet environment one hour prior to bedtime with calming activities such as reading and avoid computer and video games.
• Get the whole family involved in the routine!

If you suspect you or your child may have a sleep disorder, would like more information or would like to schedule a sleep study please contact the MERIT sleep team directly at:
(888) 637-4848

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Merit's Center for Pediatric & Adolescent Sleep Health is conveniently located at:

900 E. Irving Park Road
Streamwood, IL 60107
(between Barrington & Bartlett Roads)