STANFORD, Calif-- Beginning April 14, some of the children who come to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford at night will have a very different experience from their daytime counterparts. Pajamas will replace hospital gowns, milk and cookies will stand in for cafeteria food, and VCRs and televisions will be available in every room. After snacking and socializing, the kids will get down to the serious business of the evening - sleeping.

After all, that's what you do when you're a patient at Stanford's new pediatric sleep service - the first dedicated pediatric sleep program in Northern California to be accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

As the children slumber, sensors taped to their skin will record the length and phases of their sleep cycles. In the morning, researchers will analyze the results to determine if any of the children suffer from sleep disorders. Rafael Pelayo, MD, director of the new sleep service, hopes the kid-oriented surroundings will help put young patients at ease and facilitate Stanford's ongoing management of pediatric sleep problems.

"It's meant to be a special night," said Pelayo, assistant professor of pediatrics and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. "The kids get to have the undivided attention of their parents, who can sleep in a bed next to their child. They can order take-out food. They can bring anything they want from home - except pets." Pelayo also encourages parents to make the evening stand out, perhaps by buying matching sets of pajamas for the occasion.

The fledgling sleep service, which is a joint program of the children's and adult hospitals at Stanford, is not an entirely new endeavor for the physicians. Stanford's Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Center has treated pediatric patients for many years. Stanford established the world's first clinic devoted to sleep disorders in 1970, and the center's first patient was a child, said Pelayo. The center treats about 350 children per year.

"There has been a need to specialize further," said Pelayo, who is board-certified in both pediatrics and sleep medicine. "We're providing the same service that we have for years, but in a more child-friendly environment." The service will use beds in Packard's day hospital that are empty at night and on weekends.

Children can suffer from many of the same sleep problems that plague adults, including sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy. Pelayo said one-fourth of all parents are concerned about their children's sleep. Parents should suspect a sleep disorder if a child is not refreshed after a night of sleep, is very difficult to awaken in the morning, is an extremely restless sleeper or snores. Parents should also consider whether they or other relatives have been diagnosed with sleep problems.

"Because some of these conditions can run in families, it's not uncommon to find a similar problem with the parents," said Pelayo. He conducts an annual community outreach seminar titled, "Sleepless in Silicon Valley," to address sleep issues that can affect all family members, particularly babies.

Behavioral problems and learning difficulties at home or at school can also be a symptom of poor sleep. Pelayo and his fellow researchers are especially interested in studying the sleep of children diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, or ADD. The sleep physicians suspect that at least some of these children may actually be suffering from sleep problems that impair their ability to concentrate.

The new service will be used by several departments in addition to psychiatry and behavioral sciences, including otolaryngology, pediatric pulmonary medicine, neurology, psychiatry and pediatrics. Among the attending physicians for the service are Christian Guilleminault, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Jed Black, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of Stanford's sleep disorders clinic.

Parents concerned about their children's sleep habits should bring them in for an evaluation, which may or may not include a sleep test. "We speak with the parents and try to determine what kinds of medical and behavioral problems may be occurring, and then we try to address both the physical and behavioral aspects of the situation," said Pelayo.

Treatment of sleep disorders can include surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids that may be obstructing the airway of children with sleep apnea, or the use of medications or specialized breathing equipment to help the child obtain a more restful night's sleep.

All major forms of insurance will be accepted at the sleep service. To make an appointment, call (650) 725-5930 or (650) 723-6601.