Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
Successful home respiratory polygraphy to investigate sleep-disordered breathing in children
Marine Michelet1, Sylvain Blanchon1, Stéphane Guinand1
1Pediatric Pulmonology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Insights
Home-based sleep polygraphy (PG) is a feasible and interpretable diagnostic tool for children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). This study found similar interpretability rates for PGs performed at home versus in a hospital setting.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Sleep Medicine
- Diagnostic Technologies
Background:
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in children.
- Interest is growing in home-based sleep testing like polygraphy (PG).
- Limited data exists on PG in children with comorbidities, especially in non-attended settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and interpretability of home-based PG compared to hospital-based PG in children.
- To evaluate PG performance across various indications and in different testing sequences.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 400 pediatric PGs.
- PGs categorized by setting (hospital vs. home) and sequence (initial vs. subsequent).
- Non-interpretability defined by absent/unreliable SpO2, airflow, or respiratory inductance plethysmography signals.
Main Results:
- 84% of PGs were performed at home, 16% in hospitals.
- Overall interpretability was 87% in both settings.
- Non-interpretability was mainly due to SpO2 channel failure and not predictable by setting or indication.
Conclusions:
- Home-based PG is a feasible and interpretable option for diagnosing pediatric SDB and related conditions.
- Setting (home vs. hospital) did not predict PG non-interpretability.
- PGs are reliable for initial diagnosis and follow-up in pediatric patients.
Objective:
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children is common. Interest in sleep tests, such as polygraphy (PG), which can be performed in a non-attended setting, are gaining is increasing. PG has, however, been little studied in children with co-morbidities other than obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and in particular, if performed in a non-attended setting. We report on the feasibility and interpretability of implementing PGs at home versus in hospital.
Methods:
PGs were analyzed according to the setting (hospital or home) and sequence (initial or subsequent) in which they were performed. Non-interpretability was defined as absent or unreliable oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2), or airflow and respiratory inductance plethysmography flow trace signals during the time analyzed.
Results:
We retrospectively analyzed 400 PGs; 332/400 were initial PGs. Indications were: suspected OSA (65%), obesity (13%), craniofacial malformations (5%), neuromuscular disease (4%), and other (13%) which included prematurity. 16% were recorded in hospitals and 84% at home. The mean age was 5.7 ± 5.8 years and 7.3 ± 4.5 years for the hospital and home groups, respectively. Interpretability was similar in both settings (87%). In the 68 subsequent PGs, interpretability was 84% when performed for follow-up and 96% when repeated for non-interpretability. Non-interpretability was predominantly due to a failure of the SpO2 channel.
Conclusions:
PG performed at home is both feasible and interpretable for a variety of indications. Non-interpretability was not predictable in association with the setting, anthropometric data, or indication, independently of the sequence (initial or subsequent PG) in which the parameters were analyzed.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
01:30Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
01:23Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like...
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...