Bio

Dr. Itani is board certified in sleep medicine and general pediatrics and has additional fellowship training in pediatric pulmonology and sleep medicine.

Dr. Itani diagnoses and treats a wide range of sleep disorders in adults and children.

Dr. Itani’s research interests include medical education and patient compliance and education. Her other research interests have included sleep consequences of Prader-Willi syndrome and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

Dr. Itani has published her research in peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, Medical Teacher, and Brain & Development. She has presented to her peers at national and regional meetings, including the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Innovations in Medical Education Conference, and the American Thoracic Society.

Dr. Itani is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the American Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physician.

Clinical Focus

  • Sleep Medicine

Academic Appointments

Honors & Awards

  • The Order of Arete, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Stephen Abrahamson Award for Innovation - Best of Cool Ideas, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Roland Miniami Family Medical Scholarship, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Morris and Mary Press Humanism Award Nominee, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • New Hope Leadership Scholarship, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Health Resources and Services Administration Grant Fellowship Recipient, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
  • Francis Silver Scholarship, Keck School of Medicine of USC
  • Fellow of the Year, Award for Excellence in Teaching, Children’s Hospital LA
  • Dr. George Herron Memorial Award, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC)
  • Best Interdisciplinary Proposal, Research Day, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Member, American Thoracic Society (2021 - Present)
  • Member, American College of Chest Physicians (2024 - Present)
  • Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics (2015 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Sleep Medicine (2025)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (2018)
  • Fellowship: Stanford University Sleep Medicine Fellowship (2025) CA
  • Fellowship: Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles (2024) CA
  • Residency: University of Chicago Pediatric Residency (2018) IL
  • Medical Education: University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (2015) CA

Contact

  • Clinical (Primary)  Sleep Medicine Center 450 Broadway St Pavillion C 2nd Fl MC 5704 Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 721-3448 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

All Publications

  • Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Sleep medicine Kohn, S., Evans, M., Itani, R., Wang, S., Szmuszkovicz, J., Ward, S. L., Keens, T. G., Perez, I. A. 2026; 148: 109190

    Abstract

    RATIONALE: Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is associated with obesity and sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is prevalent in children with SRBD. We sought to determine the PH prevalence in children with PWS and SRBDs and determine the association of PH with OSA severity and obesity.METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with PWS followed at Children's Hospital Los Angeles was performed. Data collected included demographics, body mass index (BMI), echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization (if present), and polysomnography (PSG) results.RESULTS: 37 patients with PWS had technically acceptable echocardiogram and PSG or chronic respiratory failure diagnosis; ten (27%) met criteria for PH. All patients with PH were obese and had SRBD with average OAHI of 21.9 ± 20 events/hour. Five patients had hypoventilation. The average age of first echocardiogram was 9.8 ± 2.8 years. The average age at PH diagnosis was 11.1 ± 3.9 years. The average TR jet was 2.8 ± 0.3 m/s. Four patients had septal flattening. One had cardiac catheterization with mean PA pressure 29 mmHg, PVR 3.7wu x m2, and RV systolic pressure 42 mmHg. Hypoventilation was associated with pulmonary hypertension (p = 0.003). There was no detectable association between presence of OSA, sleep related hypoxemia, elevated BMI or growth hormone therapy and the presence of PH.CONCLUSIONS: PH is relatively prevalent in children with PWS, particularly in those with hypoventilation. PH was identified in later childhood, after they had a diagnosis of SRBD. Our findings advocate for earlier and routine screening of PH particularly in those with hypoventilation.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109190

    View details for PubMedID 42600421

  • Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome without hypoventilation: is it congenital central hypoventilation syndrome? Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Wo, L. L., Itani, R., Keens, T. G., Marachelian, A., Ji, J., Perez, I. A. 2023; 19 (6): 1161-1164

    Abstract

    Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare condition caused by pathogenic variants of the PHOX2B gene. There have been case reports describing variable phenotypes and mutations of the PHOX2B gene, not commonly tested for, that may challenge the classic definition of CCHS. We report on 3 family members with a rare heterozygous deletion encompassing the entire PHOX2B gene with variable phenotypes, including sleep-disordered breathing and autonomic nervous system involvement, but an unexpected lack of alveolar hypoventilation, which is usually a defining feature of CCHS. Our cases highlight the dilemmas in making a diagnosis of CCHS and emphasize the need for expanded genetic testing, including for PHOX2B gene deletion. More patients with variable phenotypes of CCHS may be identified through comprehensive genetic testing and warrant surveillance as they are still at risk for high-risk complications of CCHS.Wo LL, Itani R, Keens TG, Marachelian A, Ji J, Perez IA. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome without hypoventilation: is it congenital central hypoventilation syndrome? J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(6):1161-1164.

    View details for DOI 10.5664/jcsm.10512

    View details for PubMedID 36798979

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10235709

  • Sleep Consequences of Prader-Willi Syndrome. Current neurology and neuroscience reports Itani, R., Gillett, E. S., Perez, I. A. 2023; 23 (3): 25-32

    Abstract

    This paper reviews how sleep is impacted in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), focusing on sleep-related breathing disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).Hypothalamic dysfunction may underlie several aspects of the PWS phenotype. Central sleep apnea (CSA) can persist beyond infancy. Nocturnal hypoventilation is common and may occur without central or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Adenotonsillectomy, a mainstay of OSA treatment, may cause velopharyngeal insufficiency. Growth hormone (GH) is considered safe, but close surveillance for OSA remains important. Cardiac autonomic dysfunction occurs during slow wave sleep and may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. EDS and narcolepsy are also common. Modafinil and pitolisant are treatment options currently being studied. Sleep disorders are prevalent in individuals with PWS. Sleep-related breathing disorders present as CSA in infancy and later in life as OSA and hypoventilation. GH therapy has improved the clinical outcomes of patients with PWS, but close surveillance and treatment for OSA is recommended. EDS can persist even after sleep-related breathing disorders are treated, and some individuals may even develop narcolepsy. Early recognition and treatment of sleep-related disorders may prevent morbidity and result in improved survival of patients with PWS.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s11910-023-01254-6

    View details for PubMedID 36790642

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10011275

  • Response to 'lost in conversation'. Medical teacher Itani, R. 2022; 44 (12): 1423

    View details for DOI 10.1080/0142159X.2021.2014051

    View details for PubMedID 34890303

  • Bell's palsy in a pediatric patient with hyper IgM syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Brain & development Theophanous, C., Santoro, J. D., Itani, R. 2021; 43 (2): 357-359

    Abstract

    Bell's palsy is an acute facial paralysis with known association to viral infections. We describe a medically complex 6-year-old male with hyper IgM syndrome who presented with unilateral facial droop and positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. This is the first reported pediatric case of Bell's palsy in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.braindev.2020.08.017

    View details for PubMedID 32950319

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7472970

  • Residents teaching residents: The case for interdepartmental resident lecture programs. Medical education Theophanous, C., Itani, R. 2020; 54 (11): 1058-1059

    View details for DOI 10.1111/medu.14316

    View details for PubMedID 32914491

  • Acute Kidney Injury Pediatric Critical Care: A Primer for All Clinicians Itani, R., Hasmat, S. 2019