[Respiratory tests in sleep disorders in children].

Nocturnal polysomnography is the reference tool for the exploration of sleep disorders in children. Noninvasive methods are to be preferred for children. Recording respiratory signals identifies respiratory events (episodes of apnea, hyponea) and their effect on gas exchange. Measuring esophageal pressure, the only quantitative measure of respiratory exertion, is required for the diagnosis of high-resistant upper airways syndrome. Recordings of neurophysiolgical signals can be used to analyze sleep organization and to quantify cortical awaking reactions. The most frequent indication in pediatric patients with sleep disorders is to explore suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The prevalence of this syndrome in the general pediatric population would be 1.6%, increasing to 8.4% in members of a family with a child having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.