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Dr. Liliana Calkins, member and founder, of the Virginia Interdisciplinary Airway and Sleep Group; knows the importance of early intervention in treating pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). She is participating in a first-of-its-kind program at Tufts University to help dentists understand the basics of normal sleep maturation, respiratory physiology, and craniofacial development throughout childhood. Excited to learn the new treatment options for SDB in pediatric patients, she will become familiar with various sleep disorders in children and adolescents and review cutting-edge research and techniques in evaluation and treatment. Early intervention is Dr. Calkins’ highest recommendations to all our families, since the growth and development of the craniofacial- respiratory complex occurs early in life, from 0-5 years-old.
The burgeoning field of treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is of the utmost importance to Dr. Calkins as Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) is increasingly recognized as a chronic disorder of dysfunctional breathing during sleep in children and can range from habitual snoring to OSA. The spectrum of SDB can result in adverse neurocognitive consequences from sleep fragmentation and intermittent hypoxemia, as well as adverse craniofacial maldevelopment, abnormal breathing patterns, learning difficulties, ADD and ADHD, poor academic performances, bed wetting, excessive sleepiness, and behavioral, mood, and anxiety disorders.
Despite these alarming facts, research has shown that children are not screened to the best of doctor’s abilities for SDB in their routine physical and dental check-ups. This makes it difficult to initiate the early intervention strategies necessary to improve children’s overall quality of life and learning whilst preventing the development of significant and lasting morbidity.
Dr. Calkins is excited to share her expertise from this Mini-Residency to recognize and treat Sleep Disordered Breathing effectively using this latest scientific research. Contact Airway and Sleep Group to receive a comprehensive evaluation for Sleep Disordered Breathing.
