Performing a sleep study on a child is exactly the same as conducting a study on an adult. It can be a bit more challenging to complete the tests on children than adults because children are more likely to displace the sensors used.
During the night of the study at our sleep center, the child will sleep at our lab and be monitored by sleep technologists. We recommend a parent accompanies a child who spends the night our sleep center and we have accommodations for the parent to sleep in the same room. Each room at our sleep center is equipped with a sleep number bed, private shower, private restroom, and DIRECTV.
What Happens During the Sleep Study?
American Sleep Centers realizes that children from newborn to adolescence have distinct needs based on their stage of development and age and we are equipped to care for pediatric patients from 2-17yrs of age.
Children’s sleep issues can range from bedtime settling problems, insufficient sleep, sleep apnea, sleepwalking and even narcolepsy.
What Happens After My Sleep Study?
The statistics of children who have some type of sleep issue is alarming at 50 percent.
Identifying sleep problems early can prevent negative consequences like:
Irritability
Daytime sleepiness
Learning difficulties
Behavioral problems
Poor academic performance
Vehicle crashes in teens
When Will I Get My Results?
Each test will vary depending on the individual case, but some measurements taken may include:
Your physician will likely contact you once the results are ready although it is best to schedule your follow up visit with him/her as soon as you complete your sleep study.
Please prepare for this process by thoroughly washing the child’s hair before the child’s visit to our lab. In some cases, a paste adhesive will be used to attach the electrodes and the child’s head will be wrapped with a bandage material to keep them in place. Other electrodes and devices are attached with hypoallergenic tape. We welcome families to come during the daytime and tour our facility at American Sleep Centers before their scheduled appointment to help familiarize with the process.
A common misconception is that many people expect a sleep center to be cold, bright, technical and impersonal-looking as if you were being monitored in a research center. On the contrary, that is not the case when you choose to spend the night in one of our sleep centers, and we hope you are pleasantly surprised.
An in-lab sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, records your brain waves, heartbeats and breathing as you sleep. It also charts your eye movements, limb movements, and oxygen in your blood. This data will help the board-certified sleep medicine physician(s) make a diagnosis and recommendations. Plus, an in-lab sleep study has no needles, thus making it a painless process for you.