What is different about pediatric polysomnography
The physiological channels are largely the same as an adult study. Everything around them — sensor size, room setup, staffing, scoring — is different. Pediatric sleep apnea has its own clinical thresholds, and pediatric arousal patterns are scored differently from adult.
What we do differently
- Parent stays in the room — a second bed allows a parent to sleep alongside the child
- Child-sized sensors — lighter, lower-profile, less disturbing during setup
- Familiar bedtime routine — bring your childs pillow, blanket, comfort item
- Pediatric-trained technologist — overnight tech is specifically trained in child studies
- Pediatric scoring — apnea-hypopnea index thresholds, arousal scoring, and event classification follow age-appropriate criteria
- CO₂ measurement — particularly valuable for pediatric assessment
Common indications
- Snoring with witnessed apnea or daytime symptoms
- Behavioral and attention concerns alongside sleep complaints
- Pre-tonsillectomy evaluation in selected cases
- Post-tonsillectomy verification when symptoms persist
- Pediatric parasomnia evaluation
- Growth velocity concerns with sleep complaints
The schedule
- 20:00 — Arrival and tour
- 20:30–21:30 — Sensor placement (parent and child together)
- 21:30 — Your normal bedtime routine
- 22:00 — Lights out (earlier for younger children)
- 06:30 — Wake, sensor removal, light breakfast
Children sleep better with a parent in the room. So we put a parent in the room.— Seoul Sleep Center pediatric protocol