00:00A small implant is helping some teens with Down syndrome breathe better while they sleep.
00:04Between 50% and 80% of children with Down syndrome have sleep apnea.
00:09Untreated, it can lead to fatigue, trouble concentrating, and long-term health risks.
00:14Roughly half also have trouble using a CPAP mask consistently.
00:18Children's Hospital Los Angeles now offers the Inspire Nerve Stimulation Device to eligible teens.
00:24It is approved by the FDA for adolescents with Down syndrome.
00:27A small generator goes in the chest, wired to an electrode around a nerve in the neck.
00:32During sleep, it senses breathing and gently moves the tongue forward to open the airway.
00:38Parents switch it on at night with a remote, and it turns off after 10 hours.
00:42The battery lasts 10 to 11 years.
00:45Breathing-related events during sleep can drop by 50% to 70%.
00:49For these teens, a nighttime implant is opening the airway.
00:53Disclosure.
00:54This video contains stock footage and content created or enhanced using AI-assisted tools.
