Sleep study as a diagnostic tool for unexplained respiratory failure in infants hospitalized in the PICU.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic value of a polygraphy (PG) in infants hospitalized for unexplained respiratory failure or life-threatening events in the PICU.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The PG of 13 infants (4 girls), mean age 6.8±7.7months, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eight infants were admitted for unexplained respiratory failure and 5 for life-threatening events. PG showed features suggestive of respiratory muscle weakness in 5 infants whose final diagnoses were nemaline rod myopathy (n=2), congenital myasthenia (n=2), and diaphragmatic dysfunction (n=1). Four of these patients were successfully treated with noninvasive ventilation (NIV). PG was suggestive of brainstem dysfunction in 4 infants; 2 were treated successfully with NIV and another with caffeine. PG showed obstructive sleep apnea in 3 infants; 2 were treated successfully with NIV and one patient was lost during follow up. A typical pattern of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome was observed in the last patient who was treated successfully with invasive ventilation. One patient with diaphragmatic dysfunction and one with brain stem dysfunction died.

CONCLUSIONS

PG may assist the diagnosis and guide the management of unexplained respiratory failure or life-threatening events in infants hospitalized in the PICU.