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Daniel Combs, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatrics
Associate Professor, Medicine
Assistant Director, Scholarly Projects
Associate Professor, Internal Medicine

PO Box 245201
Building: Steele Mem Chldrn's Rsrch Ctr (#201B)
Room #: 4246

520-626-7780
combs89@arizona.edu

Selected Publications

Combs D, Goodwin JL, Quan SF, Morgan WJ, Parthasarathy S.  Modified Stop-Bang Tool For Screening Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Community-Dwelling Adolescent Children.  PLOS One 2015.
 
Combs D, Goodwin JL, Quan SF, Morgan WJ, Parthasarathy S.  Longitudinal Differences in Sleep Duration in Hispanic and Caucasian Children.  Sleep Medicine. 2015 Jun 29.  PMID: 26299467
 
Buterbaugh J, Wynstra C, Provencio N, Combs D, Gilbert M, Parthasarathy S.  Cerebrovascular Reactivity in Young Subjects with Sleep Apnea.  SLEEP. 2015 Feb 1;38(2):241-50. PMID 25409111.
 
Combs D, Shetty S and Parthasarathy S.  Advances in PAP treatment modalities for hypoventilation syndromes.  Sleep Medicine Clinics. Sept 2014; 9(3):315-325.  PMID 25346650
 
Combs D, Rice SA and Kopp LM.  Incidence of delirium in children with cancer. Pediatr. Blood Cancer. 61(11):2094-5. Nov 2014.  PMID 24938869.
 

Student Opportunities Through Research

Students will be able to gain hands on clinical experience working with children with congenital heart disease and other conditions.  Additionally, students will be trained in neurocognitive assessment of children and be able to independently perform assessments of children.  Students will also learn about conduct of research, including regulatory issues, ethical issues and practical issues related to conducting clinical research.
 
Due to the impact of sleep and sleep disorders on outcomes in all areas of pediatrics, interested students may be able to develop sleep-related projects tailored to their interests (for example, impact of sleep on ICU outcomes in children).
 

Sponsored Research Through MSRP

Blake Gerken, (MSRP 2022): "Evaluation of Atomoxetine and Oxybutynin for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children with Down Syndrome"; 2025. "Determining Capacity and Informing Down syndrome Assent Strategies (DECIDAS)"

Daniel Matloff, (MSRP 2022): "Prevalence and Cognitive Impact of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Children with Congenital Heart Disease"
 
Katherine Maxfield (MSRP 2023): "Insomnia and Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Young Adults with Congenital Heart Disease."
 
Michelle Wei (MSRP 2025): "Obstructive sleep apnea endotypes in children with Down Syndrome"
 

Advanced Research Distinction Track (RDT)

Blake Gerken (RDT Class of 2025): "The combination of atomoxetine and oxybutynin for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in children with Down syndrome"
 
Daniel Matloff (RDT Class of 2025): "Sleep Problems in Children with Congenital Heart Disease: The Impact on Quality of Life and Cognition"
 

Degrees

  • University of Arizona, 2011 (M.D.)
  • University of Arizona Pediatrics, 2012 (Internship)
  • University of Arizona Pediatrics, 2014 (Residency)
  • University of Arizona Sleep Medicine,  2015 (Fellowship)

Research Interests

My primary area of research is in the neurocognitive and quality of life effects of sleep apnea in children with congenital heart disease. Our research has shown that children with congenital heart disease are at very high risk of sleep apnea, and that this is associated with IQ impairment. Our current research involves quantitative measurement of neurocognition and quality of life, as well as development of treatment strategies that may improve cognition in children with congenital heart disease.​
Other areas of research include exploring family preferences for treatment of sleep apnea in children, which will lead to improved clinical trial approaches for this disorder. Through collaboration with other investigators, we are also exploring the relationship between sleep and outcomes in traumatic brain injury in children, as well as sleep and asthma outcomes in children.