The laboratory assessment of daytime sleepiness in childhood.

Excessive daytime sleepiness is a disabling symptom of diverse etiologies. This article reviews the various, currently available diagnostic techniques that can be applied in the evaluation of childhood hypersomnolence, along with their merits and limitations. Normal polysomnographic data of children differ from those of adults. Serial studies may be required in evolving childhood narcolepsy for establishing a definitive diagnosis.