Revue des maladies respiratoires
-
Nocturnal polysomnography is the reference tool for the exploration of sleep disorders in children. Noninvasive methods are to be preferred for children. Recording respiratory signals identifies respiratory events (episodes of apnea, hyponea) and their effect on gas exchange. ⋯ Recordings of neurophysiolgical signals can be used to analyze sleep organization and to quantify cortical awaking reactions. The most frequent indication in pediatric patients with sleep disorders is to explore suspected obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. The prevalence of this syndrome in the general pediatric population would be 1.6%, increasing to 8.4% in members of a family with a child having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.