Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World
10:16

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

8.6K

Night-to-night variability of polygraphy in children with sleep disordered breathing symptoms

Cansu Yilmaz Yegit1, Ela Erdem Eralp1, Yasemin Gokdemir1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|April 4, 2023
PubMed

Insights

A single night of polysomnography (PG) is sufficient for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms, as night-to-night variability was not significant.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Respiratory Physiology
  • Diagnostic Accuracy

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children can be diagnosed using polysomnography (PG).
  • The reliability of a single-night PG for diagnosing pediatric OSAS is not well-established.
  • This study investigated the night-to-night variability of PG in children with suspected sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if a single night of polysomnography (PG) is reliable for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children presenting with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) symptoms.
  • To assess the night-to-night variability of key respiratory parameters measured during PG in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the consistency of OSAS diagnosis and severity classification based on one versus two nights of PG.

Main Methods:

  • Included otherwise healthy children evaluated for SDB symptoms.
  • Performed two nocturnal polysomnography (PG) recordings 2-7 days apart.
  • Recorded demographic and clinical data, Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, and modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. OSAS diagnosis was based on an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (oAHI) ≥ 1/h.

Main Results:

  • Forty-eight children (mean age 10.8 years) were included, with no significant differences in oAHI or other respiratory parameters between the two PG nights (p > 0.05).
  • Using the highest oAHI from any single night, 39 children were diagnosed with OSAS.
  • Diagnosis agreement for OSAS and its severity between the two nights was high (84.6% and 89.7% for the first and second nights, respectively), despite minor intra-subject oAHI variations.

Conclusions:

  • A single night of polysomnography (PG) is adequate for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
  • There was no significant first-night effect observed in this pediatric cohort.
  • These findings support the use of a single-night PG for efficient and reliable OSAS diagnosis in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
obstructive sleep apneapolygraphyvariability

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

12.0K
Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

7.7K

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
138
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
301
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
204
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I01:26

Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I

Assessing the respiratory rate and rhythm for a complete minute is crucial for evaluating the breathing pattern. Even a minor increase in the patient's average respiratory rate, by as little as three to five breaths per minute, is an early and vital indicator of respiratory distress. Patients with a respiratory rate exceeding twenty-four breaths per minute require close monitoring to determine the physiological alterations. This careful observation is essential for prompt recognition and...
1.1K
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.5K
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
205