COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
The 12th annual B106.7 Radiothon
for Palmetto Health Children's Hospital kicked off Sunday night, and WIS-TV is
partnering with the radio station and the hospital again for the fundraiser.
Donations go straight to the Palmetto Health
Foundation to help enhance many of the programs and services provided by the
children's hospital.
One of those services is the new pediatric
sleep center inside Palmetto Heath Children's Hospital. It opened back in
December, and hospital officials say it's now the only center of its kind in
the Midlands for pediatric patients. From ADHD and obesity, to diabetes and
Down Syndrome, doctors say there are several medical conditions that can
warrant a sleep study.
Doctors recently requested a sleep study for
Christie Smith's five month-old son, Dean. "My child has a rare syndrome called
Goldenhar Syndrome," said Smith, describing it as a congenital condition that
causes abnormalities in the development of the head and face. "Not only was he
not getting enough oxygen, particularly at night, he was also not releasing his
Carbon Dioxide," added Smith. "With that we were told he might need a
tracheostomy."
Smith says she thought she was going to have
to take her son to Greenville, which isn't the easiest for trip for her to make
with her medically-fragile son. But a short a time later she learned, Dean's
pediatric pulmonologist, Dr. Trey Brown, was the new director of Palmetto
Health Children's new sleep center.
"The sleep rules are much different in
children versus adults, so this is an area where we focus specifically on the
children's aspects of the sleep disorders, and they can get any extra care they
need in the children's hospital," said Dr. Brown. Brown adds that because the
sleep center is inside the hospital, it allows sleep technicians to study
patients who are considered "high risk" like Dean.
Dr. Brown says before the development of the
new center, children who needed a sleep study would have to have the study done
at an adult center or travel outside the Midlands.
"It's alleviated the backlog we've had for
quite a long time, getting patients in in a quick manor to help diagnose their
sleep disorders," said Dr. Brown.
The center is open four days a week and sleep
technicians can study up to four patients a day. "Sleep technologists are here
gathering that data and send it to me to interpret, looking for evidence of
sleep apnea or other disorders," said Dr. Brown.
After Dean's study, Dr. Brown confirmed a
trach was needed. "[The trach is now] bypassing that obstruction so he can
sleep more effectively, but as importantly, maintaining his oxygen levels at
the appropriate levels," said Dr. Brown.
That treatment is helping Christie sleep
better, too. "Just to know that he now has a clear airway, he can breathe… I am
extremely happy and grateful that these doctors are here, that Dr. Brown exists
and that this sleep center is here in the hospital," said Smith.
Dr. Brown says most children are referred to
the center by their primary care doctor and can show symptoms like trouble
falling asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, excessive nightmares or snoring.
If you want to help enhance and provide
programs like the sleep center at the children's hospital, you can donate to
the B106.7 Radiothon by calling (803) 434-3000 or (866) 434-B106.
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