Skip to main content

No mask. No hose. Just sleep.™

Inspire® Therapy for Children with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome.1 Of those children, about 60% will be affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to smaller breathing pathways, lower muscle tone, and larger tongue anatomy common in those with Down syndrome.1-3

Children with OSA struggle with a number of daily issues due to continuous poor sleep including challenges with behavior, difficulties at school, and issues with spoken language.

While some children with Down syndrome do well with treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to help treat their OSA, others are unable to tolerate it due to sensitivity challenges, which make wearing a CPAP mask extremely difficult as a long-term solution.4

Qualifications for Inspire therapy

Children with Down syndrome who meet the below criteria may be candidates for Inspire.

  • Age 13 or older
  • Diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea (between 10 and 50 events per hour)
  • Not effectively treated by adenotonsillectomy
  • Inability to tolerate or failed CPAP use

Why choose Inspire therapy?

Here are some reasons people have chosen Inspire to treat sleep apnea.

Patient outcomes

Inspire therapy is a safe and effective alternative to treat OSA for those who are not effectively treated by current therapies like CPAP.

53%

Reduction in sleep apnea events in children with Down syndrome using Inspire therapy consistently.5-6

Insurance coverage for Inspire therapy

If FDA indications are met you can work with your insurance company to discuss coverage options for Inspire. You can also reach out to an Inspire insurance specialist at [email protected] for assistance with insurance approval.

Learn more

Download the Inspire Sleep app

  • See how Inspire works

  • Watch short videos answering the most common questions

  • Watch instructional videos on how to use Inspire

Scan this QR code with your smartphone’s camera app to download.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Inspire is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor about risks, benefits and expectations associated with Inspire. Risks associated with the surgical implant procedure may include infection and temporary tongue weakness. In rare cases tongue paresis and atrophy may occur. Some patients may require post implant adjustments to the system’s settings in order to improve effectiveness and ease any initial discomfort they may experience. Important safety information and product manuals can be found at InspireSleep.com, or call 1-844-OSA-HELP.