Maida Lynn Chen, MD

Maida Lynn Chen, MD

Pulmonary, Sleep Medicine, Neuromuscular Program, Airway and Esophageal Center, Prader-Willi Syndrome

On staff since August 2005

Children's Title: Director, Pediatric Sleep Disorders Center

Academic Title: Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Oral Health Sciences

Research Center: Center for Clinical and Translational Research

  • Maida Lynn Chen, MD, is director of the Pediatric Sleep Center and attending physician at Seattle Childrens Hospital and associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She earned her MD at Northwestern University and completed a pediatrics residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center. She completed her pediatric pulmonary fellowship at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, with special focus on respiratory control and sleep medicine.

    Her clinical interests center on sleep disorders in infants, children and adolescents. Her research interests focus on respiratory control disorders and sleep-disordered breathing in special-needs populations, including those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, obesity and craniofacial anomalies. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Thoracic Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society.





    • Tina Anacortes WA 07.23.15

      This is more of a praise than a recommendation. Dr. Chen was personable and insightful. She instead of looking just at the diagnosis she saw the person. She also was a support in a difficult situation. Thank you!

    Recommend Maida Lynn Chen, MD
  • Award Name Award Description Awarded By Award Date
    SEATTLE TOP DOCTOR - 2022 Seattle Magazine 2022
    Seattles Top Doctor 2016 Seattle Met Magazine 2016
    SEATTLE'S TOP DOCTOR - 2016 Seattle Magazine 2016
    SEATTLE'S TOP DOCTOR - 2015 Seattle Met Magazine 2015
    SEATTLE MAGAZINE TOP DOCTOR - 2015 Seattle Magazine 2015
    SEATTLE MAGAZINE TOP DOCTOR - 2014 Seattle Magazine 2014
    Seattle Magazine Top Doctor - 2012 Seattle Magazine Top Doctor - 2012 Seattle Magazine 2012
    U.S. News Top Doctor U.S. News and World Report 2012

  • Published Abstracts

    • A.M. Landis, E. Bond, Y. Kifle, M. Chen
      A retrospective look at relationships amoung sleep variables and body mass index in children and adolescents
      Sleep, 2009 : 32 (abstra

    Other Publications

    • Lee A, Chen ML, Abeshaus S, Poliakov A, Ojemann JG
      Posterior fossa tumors and their impact on sleep and ventilatory control: a clinical perspective.
      23727229 Respiratory physiology & neurobiology, 2013 Nov. 1 : 189(2)261-71
    • Chen ML, Olson HC, Picciano JF, Starr JR, Owens J
      Sleep problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
      22893773 Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2012 Aug. 15 : 8(4)421-9 PMCID:PMC3407261
    • Ettinger RE, Hopper RA, Sandercoe G, Kifle Y, Saltzman B, Chen M, Perkins J
      Quantitative computed tomographic scan and polysomnographic analysis of patients with syndromic midface hypoplasia before and after Le Fort III distraction advancement.
      21460667 Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 2011 April : 127(4)1612-9
    • Chen ML
      Sleep Disturbances
      Bermans Pediatric Decision Making, 2011 : Fifth Edit530-536
    • Striegl A, Chen ML, Kifle Y, Song K, Redding G
      Sleep-disordered breathing in children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome.
      20425854 Pediatric pulmonology, 2010 May : 45(5)469-74
    • Chaicharn J, Lin Z, Chen ML, Ward SL, Keens T, Khoo MC
      Model-based assessment of cardiovascular autonomic control in children with obstructive sleep apnea.
      19639756 Sleep, 2009 July : 32(7)927-38 PMCID:PMC2706908
    • Striegl AM, Chen ML
      Response to Clinical Corners in Sleep Medicine: "Management of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with congenital heart disease and Fontan procedures" (Sleep Med 2007;8:537-8).
      18024173 Sleep medicine, 2008 July : 591-2
    • Tablizo MA, Jacinto P, Parsley D, Chen ML, Ramanathan R, Keens TG
      Supine sleeping position does not cause clinical aspiration in neonates in hospital newborn nurseries.
      17485629 Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 2007 May : 507-10
    • Chen ML, Turkel SB, Jacobson JR, Keens TG
      Alcohol use in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.
      16429433 Pediatric pulmonology, 2006 March : 283-5
    • 1. M.B. Witmans, M.L. Chen, S.L. Davidson Ward, and T.G. Keens
      Congenital syndromes affecting respiratory control during sleep
      Sleep: a Comprehensive Handbook, 2006 : Chapter 66517-527
    • Chen ML, Tablizo MA, Kun S, Keens TG
      Diaphragm pacers as a treatment for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.
      16293069 Expert review of medical devices, 2005 Sept. : 577-85
    • Chen ML, Witmans MB, Tablizo MA, Jubran RF, Turkel SB, Tavaré CJ, Keens TG
      Disordered respiratory control in children with partial cerebellar resections.
      15880401 Pediatric pulmonology, 2005 July : 88-91
    • Lynn Chen M, Davidson Ward SL, Keens T, Lin Z, K Khoo M
      Cardio-respiratory Uncoupling in Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome.
      17281214 Conference proceedings : ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference, 2005 : 4412-5
    • Chen ML, Keens TG
      Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: not just another rare disorder.
      15276129 Paediatric respiratory reviews, 2004 Sept. : 182-9

    Show More Hide

  • Presentations Title Event Location Date
    Sleep in Children with Special Needs. Initiative for Individuals and Intellectual and Development Issues, Keynote address Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington Nov. 2012
    Sleep in Infants and Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Northwest Regional Conference Everett, Washington Nov. 2011
    Sequelae of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep A Idaho Sleep Disorders Association Annual Conference Boise, Idaho Oct. 2011
    Behavioral" Sleep Problems Montana State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics State Annual Conference Yellowstone, Montana Sept. 2011
    Pediatric Sleep Disorders: The Basics and the Role of Obesity Montana State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics State Annual Conference Yellowstone, Montana Sept. 2011
    Other Conditions associated with CCHS Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome Family Network Conference San Diego, California July 2011
    Research Needs for the problems of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: a Workshop FASD and Sleep Consensus Conference Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2011
    Prader Willi Syndrome ENDORAMA (Endocrinology Regional Grand Rounds Seattle, Washington Nov. 2010
    Sleep, Temperament, and Arousal Regulation in Infants with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Pediatric Grand Rounds Seattle Childrens Hospital, Seattle Washington Oct. 2010
    Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing: Behavioral and Cognitive Sequelae Seattle Childrens Hospital and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Craniofacial Collaborative Workshop Seattle, Washington Sept. 2010
    Pediatric Sleep Disordered Breathing North Pacific Pediatric Society Conference Seattle, Washington March 2010
    Common problems in managing children with sleep abnormalities: case-based discussion Practical Pediatrics Seattle, Washington Feb. 2010
    When snoring and sleep apnea intersect: clues and responses for diagnosis and management Practical Pediatrics Seattle, Washington Feb. 2010
    Sleep disordered breathing in the obese child 2nd annual Nutrition Symposium Seattle, Washington Oct. 2009
    Pediatric Sleep and its disorders WWAMI Visiting Professor Lecture Port Angeles, Washington Sept. 2009
    Pediatric Sleep 101 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Annual Washington State Conference Shoreline, Washington March 2008

Overview

Board Certification(s)

Sleep Medicine
Pediatric Pulmonology

Medical/Professional School

Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Residency

Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center-Chicag, Chicago, IL

Fellowship

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Clinical Interests

Respiratory control; sleep disordered breathing

Research Description

I believe that getting regular, refreshing sleep is a key element of a child reaching his/her maximal developmental potential. Thus, my research focuses on sleep disorders in children with special needs, particularly those with prenatal alcohol exposure, craniofacial abnormalities, and obesity. I hope to help develop better diagnostic methods and ultimately better treatment for their sleep disorders, which cause a great deal of stress and disruption in their lives. I also have research interests in disorders of central respiratory control, such as children with congentital central hypoventilation syndrome.

Research Focus Area

Neuroscience / Neurodevelopment, Chronic Conditions / Special Health Care Needs