Yaslam Balfaqih, MD

Dr. Yaslam Balfaqih is part of the pediatric sleep medicine team at Dayton Children’s, helping children with sleep disorders rest and recover well. They provide expert evaluation and care to support healthy sleep and daytime energy. Dr. Balfaqih completed his medical degree at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan. He subsequently did his pediatric training in Jordan and Qatar prior to moving to the United States and joining Marshall University - Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine for Graduate Medical Education in Pediatrics. For several years, he practiced ambulatory and hospital pediatrics before moving forward with his sleep medicine fellowship at Children’s Mercy hospital/UMKC/KUMC in Kansas City. Throughout the years, he received several recognitions for his exceptional clinical performance, in addition to his active participation in research and quality improvement with several publications.  Dr. Balfaqih was motivated to pursue a career in the medical field due to his desire to aid those in need. He has always had an urge to help, guide and nurture. On average, one-third of our life is spent sleeping, for many reasons, it is often a neglected part of our lives. After having his own kids and caring for children at work over the years, it became even clearer to Dr. Balfaqih that sleep is also a large quality of life factor for patients and their families. The proverb “a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” was to some extent aspirational to him and therefore, pediatric sleep medicine become his career endeavor.  My wife and I are the proud parents of two boys; whom I enjoy spending time with during my leisure. We are excited to move to this this part of the country for several reasons including the nice people, diverse cuisines, indoor and outdoor activities and much more!

Awards & Honors

• Martin E. Weisse Research Award, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - WV Chapter
• Yoram Elitsur Research Award, Department of Pediatrics, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine - Marshall University
• The Vice Dean's Best Integrated/Sustainable QI Award, Department of Graduate Medical Education, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine - Marshall University

Organizations

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Research, Publications, Presentations & More

• David Ingram, Yaslam Balfaqih, Baha Al-Shawwa: Ferric Carboxymaltose versus Iron Sucrose for Pediatric Sleep-Related Movement Disorders, Sleep, Volume 47, Issue Supplement_1, May 2024, Page A346, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsae067.0807
• Amanda N Pauley, Amy Roy, Yaslam Balfaqih, Erin Casey, Rachel Marteney, Joseph E Evans: A Quality Improvement Project to Delay Umbilical Cord Clamping Time, PediatrQualSaf.2021Sep24;6(5):e452DOI:10.1097/pq9.0000000000000452 eCollection 2021 Sep-Oct
• Rabia Noor, M. Becker, Yaslam Balfaqih, S. Flesher: Promoting Higher Quality of Care Through Education of Pediatric Residents on the Medical Home Model: Sep. 20, 2019 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2333794X19877279
• Elmore D, Yaslam B, Putty K, Magrane T, Abadir A, Bhatt S, Frazier M, Flesher S: Is Fever a Red Flag for Bacterial Pneumonia in Children with Viral Bronchiolitis? Glob Pediatr Health 2019 6; 6:2333794X19868660. Epub 2019 Aug 6. Marshall University, Huntington, WV, USA
• Yoram Elitsur, Yaslam Balfaqih, Deborah Preston BS: The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and its Correlation to Obesity-Related Complications in Obese Children from West Virginia. WV Medical Journal 2nd Quarter 2019
• Yoram Elitsur, Yaslam Balfaqih, Deborah Preston. Colon Cleansing Protocol in Children: Research Conditions VS. Clinical Practice. Int Open 2018 Apr; 6(4): E410–E413
• Ahmed Alhammadi, Shabina Khan, Najla Ba Sharahil, Rasha Qaqish, Boudoor Alshamiri, Yasmine Sobeih, Yaslam Balfaqih: Epidemiology & Clinical Features of Newly Diagnosed Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Qatar. Mar 2016, Volume 2016, HBPP3292.DOI: https://doi.org/10.5339/qfarc.2016.HBPP3292