The Inspire® Procedure is an FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea device that can help treat and prevent sleep apnea for children with Down syndrome who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy and are not effectively treated by adenotonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids).
This small device is implanted under the skin near a patient's collarbone during a minimally invasive procedure. It is controlled by a small hand-held remote to turn on therapy when sleeping and a mobile application to track and share sleep data with your child's care team. While sleeping, Inspire opens the airway, preventing sleep apnea and allowing your child to sleep peacefully.
Because Inspire is a simple, low-maintenance therapy that works without the use of a mask or hose, children can rest and get an adequate amount of sleep. Caregivers report their children with Down syndrome have less daily tiredness and show increased alertness and energy after consistently using Inspire.
Criteria for Patients
- Thirteen years of age or older.
- Moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
- An apnea-hypopnea index between 10 and 50.
- Either an inability to tolerate or does not benefit from traditional CPAP therapy.
Safety
Inspire's safety and efficacy were evaluated during the STAR clinical trial. Five-year STAR trial outcomes show patients using Inspire experience significant reductions in sleep apnea events and substantially improve quality-of-life measures. Over 150 peer-reviewed publications on Inspire have shown results consistent with those seen in the STAR trial.
Learn More
To learn more about Inspire and how it can benefit your child, please call (562) 728-5230 to consult with an Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) specialist.
Conditions
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs before birth.
Centers & Programs
Our Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Program provides a family centered care approach to all diagnostic evaluations and ENT surgical therapy for children of all ages.
Sleep disorders are common in children and often are underdiagnosed. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 70 percent of children 10 and under experience some type of sleep problem. Children who have sleep disorders wake up often at night, which can negatively affect a child’s behavior and learning. The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s has one of the only accredited children’s sleep disorders programs in Southern California.
The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center cares for children with behavioral and developmental conditions, such as autism, Fragile X, ADHD/ADD, Down syndrome, learning disabilities, behavioral sleep conditions and craniofacial abnormalities, like cleft lip and palate.
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