Kiran Maski, MD, MPH

“There are very few clinical trials looking at the efficacy of these medications for children, so most of our evidence is based off of case series, case reports, and observational trials.”

Sleep disorders can be a challenge to address for adult patients, but for sleep specialists who treat pediatric patients like Kiran Maski, MD, MPH, director, Sleep Clinic, Boston Children’s Hospital, and assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School, the managing disease can be even more difficult.

, Maski discussed the current state of the science in treating pediatric sleep disorders such as insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and narcolepsy. She described a rather bleak treatment landscape, with minimal clinical development and research in the pediatric population.

Additionally, Maski shared her insight into how the newly approved therapies have made an impact in this population. One such example is sodium oxybate, which has shown some success in children, and pitolisant, which is currently being assessed in this population. She also shared some insight into the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in conjunction with medications is helping to address the challenges.

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The director of the Sleep Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital discussed the lack of clinical research for pediatric sleep disorders and what the current landscape looks like.

Kiran Maski, MD, MPH: The Pediatric Sleep Disorder Treatment Landscape

“We definitely rely on a team-based approach with academic liaisons to help with the return back to school, and with 504 plans or individualized education plans to help facilitate the management of problematic daytime sleepiness in a school setting.”

Sleep disorders can be a challenge for both patients and physicians. Conducting sleep studies is difficult and time-consuming, and many of the therapeutic approaches for these patients require a multidisciplinary model to fully address the condition at hand.

For Kiran Maski, MD, MPH, director, Sleep Clinic, Boston Children’s Hospital, and assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School, these challenges are coupled with the challenges in treating children. Maski and colleagues have treated a number of sleep disorders in pediatric patients, including insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and even narcolepsy.

, she offered an overview of the patients that she sees at Boston Children’s, as well as the comorbid conditions which can accompany these disorders. Maski offered insight into how she and colleagues address the management of these patients and how a team-based approach, including even a cognitive behavior therapist, is utilized.

The director of the Sleep Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital discussed the sleep disorders she sees in her practice, and how she and her colleagues best address these pediatric patients.

Kiran Maski, MD, MPH

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Kiran Maski, MD, MPH: The Pediatric Sleep Disorder Treatment Landscape

Kiran Maski, MD, MPH: Addressing Pediatric Sleep Disorders