Normal polysomnographic values for children and adolescents

Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992 Nov;146(5 Pt 1):1235-9. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/146.5_Pt_1.1235.

Abstract

Although polysomnography is routinely performed to evaluate children and adolescents with sleep-disordered breathing, normal polysomnographic values for the pediatric age group have not yet been established. We therefore performed overnight polysomnography in 50 normal children and adolescents (mean age 9.7 +/- 4.6 SD yr, range 1.1 to 17.4 yr). Of the children 56% were male. Chest wall motion, ECG, oronasal airflow, end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), and electrooculogram were monitored. Children had 0.1 +/- 0.5 (range 0 to 3.1) obstructive apneas per hour of total sleep time, with only 18% of children having any obstructive apneas. No child had obstructive apneas > 10 s in duration. Of the children 30% had central apneas > or = 10 s in duration, and one child had a central apnea associated with SaO2 < 90%. Peak PETCO2 was 46 +/- 4 mm Hg (range 38 to 53 mm Hg), and hypoventilation (PETCO2 > 45 mm Hg) occurred for 7 +/- 19% total sleep time (range 0 to 91%). The SaO2 nadir was 96 +/- 2% (range 89 to 98%), with only one child desaturating below 90% in association with a central apnea. We conclude that polysomnographic results in the pediatric age group differ from those in adults. Recommendations for normal polysomnographic criteria are given.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Breath Tests
  • Carbon Dioxide / analysis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Pediatric
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Oximetry
  • Oxygen / blood
  • Polysomnography / methods
  • Polysomnography / standards*
  • Reference Values
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Oxygen