The most common reason doctors order a PSG is to determine whether a patient has obstructive sleep apnea. The PSG can provide information about whether a child has apneas (stops breathing), and if so, how often and what happens as a result (whether there are drops in the child's oxygen levels, brief arousals from sleep, etc.). Another reason for a doctor to order a PSG is to look at whether repeated leg movements during sleep are waking your child up. These can be associated with restless leg syndrome.
The information from the sleep study is taken together with the other clinical information, and your doctor will use the information to determine what may be contributing to your child's sleep problems. Please discuss specific reasons for your child's study with your doctor.
Sometimes. Most people, including children, snore a little. If you’re concerned that your child’s snoring may be problematic, talk to your pediatrician or another healthcare provider about whether a sleep study may be helpful.
Yes, please bring all normal medications, including any rescue medications, to the sleep study. The patient will take all of their normal mediations at the normal times, unless your provider tells you otherwise.
Bring anything that may help your child feel more comfortable with their sleep study. This may include pajamas, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and/or toys.
Please note that only service animals are permitted at Kennedy Krieger. Family pets that are not service animals are not allowed. If your child utilizes a service animal, please let us know at the time of scheduling. This allows us to make sure all the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure the sleep study runs as smoothly as possible.
Yes, a caregiver must stay for the entire night if the child is less than 18 years old. If the patient is 18 years or older and unable to make their own medical decisions, then a caregiver must stay with the patient for the entire night.
While this rarely happens, your provider may try repeating the sleep study on a different night, depending on the reason why your child didn’t sleep.
The Week Before the PSG
- Keep your child on a regular sleep schedule.
The Morning of the PSG
- Wash your child's hair. Do not use conditioner or other hair products. Conditioner and other hair products interfere with the recording. You could also wash your child's hair the night before. Remove any hairstyles that will interfere with attaching wires to the scalp (tight braids and corn rows are usually fine).
- Keep your child on their regular sleep schedule. Do not sleep deprive your child to try to make them fall asleep faster.
- Bring anything you and your child need to feel comfortable staying overnight (pajamas, favorite stuffed animal, special pillow or blanket, storybooks, etc.). Meals are not provided.
- Avoid sodas, chocolate and caffeine so that your child can fall asleep.
- Encourage your child to eat, drink and take medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed.
- The PSG is an outpatient procedure, so you will be responsible for the usual care of your child. Bring everything you need to care for your child (e.g., medications, formula, diapers, medical equipment and supplies).
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is there any concern that your child may become distressed or aggressive if a technician is in their close personal space?
- Can your child tolerate people touching them?
- Do you think your child will be scared by any of the equipment?
- Can your child tolerate things on their head or face?
- Will your child wear headbands or hats?
- Can your child tolerate sticky or grainy textures?
- Will your child wear Band-aids?
If you are still concerned about your child’s ability to tolerate the sleep study, please reach out to the provider who ordered the sleep study. Sometimes we are able to schedule clinic visits to “practice” before the actual sleep study.
Arriving at Kennedy Krieger:
- Complementary parking for our patients is available in our garage, located at 1741 Ashland Avenue. Please take a ticket, proceed to parking and security can then direct you on getting to the 707 North Broadway building for your study from the 2nd floor of the parking garage.
- Please go to the 707 North Broadway building. This may be a different building than where you usually see your doctor. The guard at the security desk will tell you where to go next.
- Patients must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. Please do not bring other children with you. We can accommodate one parent/guardian overnight.
- A security escort is available to walk you to and from your car.
- PSG results are typically available to the referring doctor approximately one to two weeks after the test is performed. Please contact the doctor who referred you about one week after the test. If you have an appointment with your Kennedy Krieger doctor sooner than one week after the test, please let the lab staff know as soon as possible so the results will be ready early.
- The technologist is not permitted to tell you what he/she sees during or immediately after the test. Do not call the lab for your test results -- it is up to the doctor who referred you to communicate the results (and their meaning for the care of your child) to you.
If you want a copy of the PSG report, please call Kennedy Krieger's Health Information Management Department at (443) 923-1825.