Feasibility of parent-attended ambulatory polysomnography in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Due to a limited number of pediatric sleep centers, the aim was to test the feasibility of ambulatory polysomnography (PSG-home) in a group of French children suspected of OSA.

METHODS

Children undergoing one-night PSG-home, with the device installed at the pediatric sleep physician's office, were prospectively included. General failure was considered when PSG-home recording captured < 5 h of artifact-free sleep or when ≥ 1 channel (nasal flow, thoraco-abdominal belts, oximetry) presented artifacts > 75% of the recording time. No-OSA was defined as an obstructive apnea-hypopnia index (OAHI) < 1 event/h and respiratory-related arousals index (RAI) < 1 event/h. OSA was defined as upper airways resistance syndrome (UARS) with OAHI < 1 event/h with RAI ≥ 1 event/h, or mild OSA (OAHI ≥ 1 event/h-5 events/h), moderate OSA (OAHI ≥ 5 events/h-10 events/h), or severe OSA (OAHI ≥ 10 events/h). Parents completed a severity hierarchy score questionnaire, Conners Parent Rating Scale, and an adapted Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven children aged 3 through 16 years were included. PSG-home was technically acceptable in 46 (81%). Failure due to nasal cannula was observed in 11% (n = 6), oximetry in 7% (n = 4), and both in 2% (n = 1) of cases. No difference in feasibility was found according to age, sex, OSA severity, or comorbidities. There were 14 (25%) children categorized as no-OSA, 43 (75%) as OSA, 4 (7%) as UARS, 26 (46%) as mild, 6 (10%) as moderate, and 7 (12%) as severe OSA. Neither questionnaires nor clinical and physical examination predicted OSA diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

When equipment is installed at the professional's office and a parent monitors the child, PSG-home is feasible and technically acceptable in children aged 3 through 16 years old. The short delay and feasibility provided by PSG-home could improve the management of children suspected of OSA.