Overview
The Center for Healthy Sleep, directed by Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D., specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, obstructive and non-obstructive hypoventilation, central apnea, primary snoring and disorders of hypersomnia, such as narcolepsy.
Our sleep medicine specialists are board certified, with expertise in sleep-related breathing disorders and other complex sleep conditions. To arrive at a diagnosis, the doctors may first evaluate your child in clinic and determine whether an overnight sleep study (polysomnography) is needed. If a sleep study is necessary, your child and one parent/guardian spend the night in an environment designed to help children feel comfortable and promote normal sleep.
The sleep study is performed by a registered polysomnography technologist using state-of-the-art equipment. The data is analyzed, and a pediatric sleep specialist interprets the results to determine the appropriate treatment. Polysomnographic testing measures physiologic changes, including sleep stages, respiratory abnormalities, cardiac arrhythmias, body movements, arousals from sleep and abnormal behaviors in sleep.
Specialized Programs and Clinics
The Center for Healthy Sleep offers specialized clinics and programs to support children with more complex needs:
- Complex Sleep Apnea Program: Provides advanced evaluation and treatment for children who continue to have breathing difficulties during sleep, even after standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A multidisciplinary team from respiratory medicine, otolaryngology (ENT), plastic craniofacial surgery, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics works together to create individualized care plans.
- Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Clinic: Focuses on children who use devices such as CPAP or BiPAP to treat obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and nocturnal hypoventilation. Families receive education, device troubleshooting, pressure adjustments and support to help children successfully use PAP therapy at home.
These programs work closely with our general Sleep Center services and referring providers to ensure that each child receives coordinated, comprehensive care.
Scheduling a Sleep Study
Please ensure we have your most up-to-date contact information, including your current phone number and home address.
Our team returns calls within 24 business hours (Monday–Friday). Please allow at least two weeks after your child’s study has been ordered before calling to schedule.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, contact the Sleep Lab as soon as possible. Because the wait list is often long, appointments cannot be guaranteed without at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations.
Sleep Lab: 858-966-4066
Main Pulmonary Office: 858-966-5846
- Night of the Study: Enter through the main Hospital entrance (#1) and park in the visitor lot on Children’s Way. A receptionist will direct you to the Nelson Medical Unit. Most studies last six to eight hours and finish around 5:30 a.m. Please arrange transportation home, as extended sleeping is not available.
- Study Results: Please call your child’s doctor three weeks after the study to review the results and discuss next steps.
Preparing for a Sleep Study
To help your child feel comfortable and ready for their overnight test, visit our guide on Preparing for Your Child’s Sleep Study. This page includes tips on what to expect, how to talk to your child about the study, and what to bring with you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of sleep disorders does the Rady Children’s Sleep Center treat?
The Rady Children’s Sleep Center specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of pediatric sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, sleep terrors, behavioral sleep problems, sleep-disordered breathing and excessive daytime sleepiness. Our pediatric sleep specialists provide individualized care tailored to each child’s needs. Children with more complex sleep-related breathing disorders may also be seen in our specialized programs, such as the Complex Sleep Apnea Program and the Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Clinic.
What happens during a pediatric sleep study at the Rady Children’s Sleep Center?
A pediatric sleep study is conducted overnight to monitor your child’s breathing, brain activity, heart rate and oxygen levels while they sleep. A trained sleep technologist ensures your child is comfortable while collecting data to help diagnose sleep disorders. Results and recommendations are shared with your referring physician and discussed with your family.
How do I know if my child needs to visit the Sleep Center?
If your child experiences excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, difficulty falling or staying asleep, frequent awakenings or unusual behaviors during sleep, they may benefit from an evaluation at the Sleep Center. Our team assesses a variety of sleep concerns and develops a treatment plan based on your child’s needs.
What treatments are available?
The Rady Children’s Sleep Center offers a range of treatments, including behavioral sleep strategies, medical therapies, and CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea and related conditions. For children with more complex sleep-disordered breathing, our specialized programs provide additional evaluation and support. Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric pulmonologists, sleep technologists and collaborating specialists works together to support your child’s sleep health.
How can I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment, please ask your child’s primary care provider for a referral or contact us directly. Our team is committed to helping your child achieve better sleep and overall well-being through expert, compassionate care.
In the News
- Later School Start Times Coming in 2022, fox5sandiego.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- New Guidelines: Children Under 5 Should Spend No More Than an Hour a Day in Front of Screens, cbs8.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- Tips for Helping Kids Adjust to Daylight Saving Time, kusi.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- Parents Asking San Diego Unified to Let Their Children Sleep, nbcsandiego.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- Back to School: How Much Sleep Do Kids Need, CBS 8, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- School Starting Later, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- Now is the Time to Get Your Child’s Sleep Routine on Track Before School Begins, cw6sandiego.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- Is Your Kid Getting Enough Sleep?, fox5sandiego.com, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- How An Early School Start Is Affecting Teenagers’ Sleep, kpbs.org, features Rakesh Bhattacharjee, M.D.
- National Sleep Awareness Week, kusi.com, features Daniel Lesser, M.D.