Children's Hospital is part of the UPMC family.
Our Sites
Be safe anytime, anywhere.
To find a pediatrician or pediatric specialist, please call 412-692-7337 or search our directory.
A resource for our network of referring physicians.
For more information about research, please call our main office at 412-692-6438.
Ranked #8 Nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
Through this trial, researchers will study use of the Inspire® implanted nerve stimulation system in adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome and moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition occurs when the airway is blocked during sleep, causing breathing difficulty. Mild electrical stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve, located under the chin, helps lift a sleeping patient’s tongue from the back of the throat, which can help to reopen the airway in some patients with OSA. Although OSA affects up to 1 percent of the general pediatric population, it is estimated that it affects 30 to 60 percent of people with Down syndrome.
Subject to exclusion criteria, the study is accepting individuals of both genders, ages 10 to 21 years, who have Down syndrome and for whom certain other treatments for OSA, including adenotonsillectomy have not worked. Males and Females: Ages 10 to 21 years
Participants will have a baseline visit, which includes a physical, and additional visits for screening procedures, including an overnight sleep study and an endoscopy. Placement of the stimulator requires surgery and a hospital stay. Following the implant, patients will be seen at 1, 4 and 5 weeks, and 2, 6 and 12 months, with the device activated at the 4-week visit. Following the study period, patients will require annual follow up visits with the surgeon to make sure the device is functioning properly and surrounding tissue remains healthy. Visits: At least 9 Duration: About 1 year
Inspire Medical Systems
Study Description at National Institutes of Health Obstructive Sleep Apnea Down Syndrome Otolaryngology (ENT) Research Down Syndrome Center
Allison Tobey, MD
For more information about the study or enrollment, please contact: Amber Shaffer, PhD, Research Coordinator 412-692-6874
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With MyCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
For questions about a hospital bill call:
To pay your bill online, please visit UPMC's online bill payment system.
Interested in giving to Children's Hospital? Support the hospital by making a donation online, joining our Heroes in Healing monthly donor program, or visiting our site to learn about the other ways you can give back.