Criteria for PSG in Children

Polysomnography is a medical test that records human functions such as brain waves, breathing and movement patterns, and other natural activity that occurs while one is asleep. This non-invasive, very low risk test is used by health professionals to help diagnose apnea, narcolepsy and other sleep disorders in children. There are many criteria your doctor will use to determine whether or not a PSG is right for your child.

Snoring

• While snoring on occasion is nothing to worry about, a child who regularly snores may have a condition called obstructive sleep apnea. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children who snore receive undergo a PSG to help diagnose or rule out obstructive sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder.

Daytime Fatigue

• Children who are unusually tired during the day or have trouble focusing on specific tasks often suffer from insufficient or restless sleep. Whether the deficit is caused by an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep or nighttime activity such as sleepwalking, a PSG may be helpful in determining the root problem.

Behavioral Problems

• Children are likely to become more moody, anxious or unruly without healthy sleep patterns. A child who exhibits these symptoms could possibly be suffering from a sleep disorder. Talk to your doctor to find out if your child is a good candidate for a PSG study so that health care professionals can determine whether or not a sleep disorder is to blame.

Breathing Troubles

• Childhood respiratory ailments can be caused by relatively minor colds and allergies or be a symptom of a more serious condition. If you notice that your child has ongoing trouble breathing during the day as well as nighttime, she may be a good candidate for a PSG study to determine if obstructive sleep apnea or any other sleep disorder is the underlying culprit.

Falling Asleep In Odd Times and Places

• Children who experience regular bouts of excessive sleepiness, trouble staying awake and a tendency to fall asleep in unusual places and circumstances (for example, during dinner at a restaurant) are advised to undergo a PSG test. These signs are characteristic of narcolepsy, a relatively unusual but serious sleep disorder in children. A PSG can help pinpoint if narcolepsy or any other sleep disorder is the cause of these symptoms.