Common Questions About Sleep Studies for Children
A sleep study is an opportunity for your doctor to find out exactly what is going on while your child is sleeping. The results can help with the treatment and diagnosis of certain sleep disorders in children. If your doctor recommends a sleep study, knowing what to expect will help you to prepare your child for the experience.
1. Why is a Sleep Study Needed?
A sleep study isn’t always needed when your child is having problems sleeping, but it can help to diagnose some kinds of sleep disorders in children that might require treatment. Your doctor might want to conduct a sleep study if your child is very sleepy during the day, having problems staying asleep at night, or if a specific disorder is suspected.
2. What Happens During a Sleep Study?
The sleep study is an overnight investigation, so your child will need to sleep on the ward. You will be able to bring in your child’s pyjamas and soft toy and to go through the same bedtime routine you use at home. From your child’s point of view, all that happens is that he or she is helped to put on some slightly strange monitors, goes to sleep in a new place and then wakes up and goes home the next morning.
3. What Measurements Are Taken During a Sleep Study?
Several different types of monitors will be used to keep track of your child’s movements and breathing during the night. Your child will usually be fitted with a pulse rate monitor on the finger or foot, stretch bands around the chest and abdomen to monitor breathing, and a nasal cannula to measure airflow. Other devices can be used to keep track of movements and sleep stages, and a video camera will be used to monitor your child’s position and movements during the night.
4. What Happens After the Sleep Study?
After the sleep study, your doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of your child’s sleep problems. Some of the sleep disorder in children that can be diagnosed by a sleep study include snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, and restless leg syndrome. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may be able to recommend medication or other treatments to help.
1. Why is a Sleep Study Needed?
A sleep study isn’t always needed when your child is having problems sleeping, but it can help to diagnose some kinds of sleep disorders in children that might require treatment. Your doctor might want to conduct a sleep study if your child is very sleepy during the day, having problems staying asleep at night, or if a specific disorder is suspected.
2. What Happens During a Sleep Study?
The sleep study is an overnight investigation, so your child will need to sleep on the ward. You will be able to bring in your child’s pyjamas and soft toy and to go through the same bedtime routine you use at home. From your child’s point of view, all that happens is that he or she is helped to put on some slightly strange monitors, goes to sleep in a new place and then wakes up and goes home the next morning.
3. What Measurements Are Taken During a Sleep Study?
Several different types of monitors will be used to keep track of your child’s movements and breathing during the night. Your child will usually be fitted with a pulse rate monitor on the finger or foot, stretch bands around the chest and abdomen to monitor breathing, and a nasal cannula to measure airflow. Other devices can be used to keep track of movements and sleep stages, and a video camera will be used to monitor your child’s position and movements during the night.
4. What Happens After the Sleep Study?
After the sleep study, your doctor may be able to diagnose the cause of your child’s sleep problems. Some of the sleep disorder in children that can be diagnosed by a sleep study include snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, and restless leg syndrome. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may be able to recommend medication or other treatments to help.