Multichannel polysomnographic recording for evaluation of infant apnea.

The preceding discussion has consisted of a review of the technical and clinical aspects of pediatric multichannel recordings, which have become a widely used procedure in the clinical evaluation of infants with various apnea syndromes. It has been shown that multichannel recordings are superior to two-channel pneumocardiograms. Multichannel recordings should therefore be considered in all infants with unexplained episodes of apnea, bradycardia or cyanosis, in order to clarify the type of apnea and to rule out underlying conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux or seizures. The role of multichannel recording in predicting the risk of further apnea and SIDS, however, remains questionable. The clinical introduction of documented monitoring in the home setting with integrated pulse oximetry and a method for monitoring respiratory airflow might help to identify those infants at risk for apnea and SIDS in the future (see article by Weese-Mayer and Silvestri). Nevertheless, multichannel recordings in the hospital have provided a useful tool in the initial evaluation of many infants with infant apnea, and, for SIDS research, they have been useful for evaluating the complex autonomic control mechanisms during sleep and wakefulness.