Home (Level 2) polysomnography is feasible in children with suspected sleep disorders.

AIM: To audit the feasibility and patient experience of home polysomnography (sleep study) for the investigation of a sleep disorder in children.

METHODS

The signal quality and outcomes of a Level 2 (home) polysomnography in young people undergoing investigation between September 2020 and January 2021 in a single centre was reviewed. A successful home polysomnogram was defined as a study with ≥6 h of sleep and all channels (EEG, thoraco-abdominal bands, calculated airflow, and pulse oximetry) present for at least 90% of the study time. Feedback from the guardian and young person was collected following the study using a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients, aged 4 months to 18 years, were included. A successful polysomnogram, on the first attempt, was achieved for 48/55 (87%) subjects. There were no differences in success when accounting for neurodevelopmental conditions, OSA severity or age. The majority (76%) of guardians felt that their child slept the same or better than normal and only 12% found having the study conducted at home difficult. Following the study, only 8% would have preferred a hospital sleep study in retrospect.

CONCLUSIONS

Home polysomnography produced a technically adequate study for the majority of subjects. Most families also found the experience of having a home sleep study to be positive. These data support the use of home sleep studies as an alternative to an in-patient sleep study, in appropriate circumstances, for young people undergoing investigation of a sleep disorder.