In another significant addition to Qatar's healthcare services, Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched Qatar's first dedicated pediatric sleep laboratory.

The highly advanced six-room sleep lab is said to be one of the largest of its kind in Qatar and will focus on addressing sleep issues in children and young people.

Fully equipped with modern technologies, such as video and infrared monitoring, the lab will allow health experts to directly observe the patients. 

Sidra Medicine has opened Qatar's first pediatric dedicated sleep laboratory. #QNA pic.twitter.com/AkkUnIXOVl

— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) August 27, 2019

The sleep lab will accurately study cases of obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related respiratory disorders caused by a variety of airway diseases and conditions including large tonsils or adenoids.

Moreover, the sleep lab will play a critical role in studying non-respiratory sleep disorders resulting from neurological issues such as central apneas or due to behavioral abnormalities.

Division Chief of Pulmonology, Professor Ibrahim Janahi, whose department currently manages the sleep lab said: "Children with sleep problems usually have underlying illnesses or conditions. Sometimes these issues can be behavioral-based but many times, simple conditions like adenoids and large tonsils that might be overlooked, end up causing sleep issues in young children. The lab works closely with departments such as pulmonology, ENT and neurology who refer patients for monitoring and observation."

Professor Janahi further explained, "Depending on the physician's recommendation, the sleep study will be tailored to suit each child's medical condition in line with international standards. The child's movements are also recorded by video with infrared to ensure the safety of the child at all times."

Medical Director of the sleep lab at Sidra Medicine, Dr Muna Maarafiya, said: "The sleep labs have been designed to make the children as comfortable as possible as if the children are going to sleep in their beds at home."

The dedicated Sidra Medicine team works closely with child life professionals to provide child-friendly and child-focused care to help the children relax and go to sleep, she said.

"We encourage parents to bring in their kid's favorite night-time story or toy. We expect the parents to be active participants during the child's stay in the lab and allow one of them to stay overnight," Dr Maarafiya said. 

The lab also consists of female technicians who monitor the lab so that female patients or mothers accompanying the child feel comfortable, she said. 

--

Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.

Instagram - @qatarliving

Twitter - @qatarliving

Facebook - Qatar Living

Cover Image Credit: Twitter/Sidra Medicine

Source: QNA