Yaslam Balfaqih, MD

Dr. Yaslam Balfaqih is a pediatric sleep medicine specialist at Dayton Children's. He cares for children with sleep concerns such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, snoring and daytime sleepiness. Dr. Balfaqih focuses on finding the reason behind a child’s sleep struggles and creating a clear, practical plan that supports better sleep, learning, behavior, mood and overall family wellbeing. 

Dr. Balfaqih chose pediatrics because it allows him to build meaningful relationships with children and their families. His care is family-centered and partnership-driven, with an emphasis on listening closely, explaining clearly, and helping families feel heard and involved in every step of care. He is passionate about uncovering the root causes of sleep problems and helping families create healthy sleep routines that work at home. Dr. Balfaqih hopes every family leaves feeling reassured, confident and supported.

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