D180
Well you’ve made it this far! Well done.
We know it may not have been easy. See below some areas that you may wish to know more about 6 months into your son/daughter's CPAP therapy.
If everything is going well. Keep going and keep doing what you are doing.
For those of you who may notice changes or are still struggling, this is also very normal and getting to the root cause can really help.
Facial Growth and Mask Refitting
Small children can grow rapidly, and a mask and headgear that fitted perfectly 6 months ago may no longer suit their changing facial structure. Also check the mask for integrity and any signs of cushion tears or worn headgear.
Please contact us on 1800 24 0202 should you feel that this is the case as our Sleep 360 team are here to help.
- Watch for new leaks: If you notice sudden air leaks into the eyes or you need to pull straps tighter, check your child’s mask, cushion and headgear for any signs of wear and tear or damage. Also check if the mask is still fitting properly or your child may have outgrown the cushion size.
- Check the nasal bridge: Look for red marks or indentations/lines/markings on the skin. These can indicate the mask is getting too small or narrow or has been overtightened.
Schedule a refitting: Reach out to our team to organise if a mask review is necessary.
Clinical data review if something changes
- Download compliance reports: If you feel that something has changed, contact our team for support/advice. Should a prescription change be required, your son/daughter’s prescribing centre will review cloud data from the machine or retrieve the SD card to evaluate the average hours used per night and the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI).
- Assess pressure needs: If your child has gained weight or grown significantly, the initial pressure settings may need an adjustment (titration) to remain effective.
Address "rainout": If weather or seasonal temperatures (summer/winter) have changed since starting therapy, you may need to adjust your machine's humidity and heated tubing settings to prevent water buildup or nasal dryness.
Preventing Therapy “Burnout”
Clinical studies show that a portion of paediatric patients experience a drop-off in adherence around the 6-month mark.
- Re-introduce behavioral rewards: If a child who previously tolerated the machine begins refusing to use it, re-introduce positive reinforcements or desensitization games during the day.
- Evaluate daytime symptoms: Check if the child's daytime energy, concentration, and behavior are still improved. If daytime sleepiness returns and/or worsening AHI despite good machine compliance, contact your Sleep Team for a re-evaluation.
Review mask and accessories and device onscreen/APP data to see if there are any issues like mask leaks or behaviour changes that could explain the change.