FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 28, 2005
CONTACT: Chris Boyle, Public Relations Associate
860.545.9956 or pager 860.220.3569 

CONNECTICUT CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER’S NEW SLEEP LAB IS A PLEASANT WAKE-UP CALL

HARTFORD, Conn.—Dreams of a sleep lab have become a reality for staff and families of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

The medical center’s new sleep lab—located in the EEG telemetry room—accepted its first patient in September. The lab will be utilized six nights a week according to Craig Schramm, MD, director of pulmonary medicine and medical director of the lab. Dr. Schramm said the sleep lab comes as welcome news to families in such specialties as pulmonary, otolaryngology or neurology, who previously had to be referred to an outside lab for a sleep study.

“A sleep lab’s primary function is to perform a polysomnography test which helps a physician evaluate, diagnose and treat numerous pediatric sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring,” Dr. Schramm said. Dr. Schramm added that the new state-of-the-art lab is unique because children of all ages will be treated unlike other labs in the state—many of which will not treat a child under the age of two. Toni Grady, RRT, CPFT, is the manager of the new sleep lab, and said that the medical center has partnered with Sleep Services of America to equip the lab and supply a technician.

“After spending the last two years researching and setting up this lab, I’m thrilled to finally see it open,” said Grady who also manages the medical center’s pulmonary function and EEG labs. Parents can spend the night with their child who will usually be admitted around 7 pm with the overnight study ending around 6 am. Grady said unlike an EEG study where electrodes are adhered primarily to the child’s head; a sleep study includes attaching electrodes near the child’s eyes, chin, legs and other body parts to help monitor muscle movements, eye movements, snoring, twitching legs, heart beat, respiration and the body’s oxygen level. Brain waves are recorded to measure the five stages of sleep. The SSA technician will perform and score the tests and then forward the data to Dr. Schramm who will read the study.

“A good night’s sleep may be more important than ever had been thought,” Grady said. “Sleep problems are being recognized as a cause of daytime inattention, poor academic performance and neurobehavioral disorders.”

Dr. Schramm said that disorders such as sleep apnea could put a severe strain on the heart, which can lead to pulmonary hypertensions and right-sided heart failure. “Sleep disturbances are underreported by parents and thus are underdiagnosed,” he said. “In addition to providing this service in a child-friendly environment, we hope to raise awareness of these disorders with parents and pediatricians.”

Parents who feel their child needs a sleep study, should consult their pediatrician who will then contact Connecticut Children's Medical Center to order a sleep test for the child.