The University of Michigan Health System teamed up with health IT company Zansors to launch the Sleep Champ mobile health app. The app is meant to help parents identify children who may be at risk for sleep-related breathing disorders, hyperactivity and sleepiness.

Using evidence-based technology from the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center, the Sleep Champ app offers self-help digital tools to promote better sleep quality and wellness.

Powered by the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center's sleep quality Scale technology, Zansors' Sleep Champ app will help parents identify children potentially at risk for sleep-related breathing disorders, hyperactivity and sleepiness, by alerting them to symptoms that could signal an underlying problem with their child's wellness.

"Appropriate identification and treatment of childhood sleep disorders can make a huge difference in the lives of children and their families," said Ronald Chervin, MD, the U-M researcher who designed, developed and validated the sleep quality Scale. "The Sleep Champ app will raise awareness about sleep and breathing problems that children can have, and their potential consequences."

"By translating top science and technology from Dr. Chervin and the University of Michigan into the Sleep Champ app, we can now offer a mobile health experience that allows parents to monitor their child's sleep habits in the home," added Ranjit Das, MD, Zansors' chief medical innovation officer, who led the app development team.

While diagnosis and treatment remains the responsibility of families and physicians, Sleep Champ brings proven science from the University of Michigan into the hands of parents, alerting families that a problem could exist, Zansors executives said. For children, sleep plays key roles in development, academic performance and social interactions. Since quality of sleep can be affected by health ailments, such as sleep apnea, it is important to better understand the sleep process and how a child feels and behaves during the day.

"I'm excited about making evidence-based research available for use at home," explained Zansors chief experience officer and app architect Jill MacNeice. "My goal is to make sure the technology, interactions and content seamlessly support parents and their real-world needs."