When Answers Matter: A Sleep Study and New Hope

PM is a 9-yr old male from Dhading with severe pulmonary hypertension. He had been admitted to the PICU at Patan Hospital several times in severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, intubated and placed on mechanical ventilator at least 2 times in the past 2 years. All diagnostic work up, including cardiac echocardiogram, was negative. 

It was critical that he got a sleep study done to evaluate for sleep apnea. This would enable targeted interventions such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation preventing nocturnal desaturation and carbon dioxide retention leading to reduction in such life-threatening episodes.

Sleep study guided treatment would also restore normal sleep patterns leading to improved school performance and participation in creative activities. This fosters a more normal childhood experience elevating the burden of chronic fatigue and improving emotional health

This was a life altering diagnostic evaluation that family could not support financially. SLSF provided the funds. 

Her report demonstrated baseline hypoxemia with significant sleep desaturations even with supplementary oxygen of 2L per minute. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (CPAP) improved his oxygenation. On follow-up in outpatient clinic, he looked more alert, with carbon dioxide level decreased to the normal range.

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