Breathing disorders can affect children from the neonatal period right through to adolescence. Young children are particularly susceptible to a number of conditions that affect the respiratory rate and rhythm.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. For babies and young children severe sleep apnea can be a potentially life threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention.

The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea in children can include a failure to grow normally, heart problems and high blood pressure. A child with sleep apnea may lag behind in areas of learning and development, affecting schooling and leading to a range of interpersonal relationship problems.

Fortunately, recent technological progress and medical science advances have led to the development of a new portable sleep lab system that performs sleep studies allowing medical practitioners to better diagnose, and treat at risk children.

Princess Margaret Hospital in Perth, is a 220-bed, internationally recognised paediatric facility that treats children and adolescents from around the state with approximately 250,000 patient visits (inpatient and outpatient) each year. Keeping up with the costs of rapidly changing medical technology presents a serious ongoing challenge for the hospital.

The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation, with the support of Burswood Honda in Perth, recently sought The Honda Foundations' help to purchase a new Portable Sleep Lab System for the hospital. The Honda Foundation was delighted to be able to provide the $30,000 in funding support to allow Princess Margaret Hospital to provide the very best care for children in Western Australia.

The new portable sleep lab will allow for studies to be performed in the comfort of children's homes thereby avoiding a hospital visit. In the case of critically ill children requiring intensive care, studies can be performed in the ward or in the paediatric intensive care unit, improving safety and care standards. The new sleep lab will increase the overall number of sleep studies undertaken and help to reduce pressure on waiting lists.

"Your support will touch the lives of so many children. Giving them every chance of growing up to lead happy and rewarding lives. It will help to ensure all Western Australian children receive the care they deserve," said Melissa Fynn from the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation.