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</ iframe > </noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><div id="header"> <div id="CClogo"><a href="https://www.cookchildrens.org"><span class="srText">Cook Children's</span></a></div> <div id="CCsearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="GET" onsubmit="return (this.q.value == '') ? false : true;" action="/CookChildrens/en/parents/"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/> <input type="hidden" name="getfields" value="description"/> <input type="search" class="search" name="q" id="q" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" placeholder="Search"/> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="cookchildrens"> <input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"> <input type="hidden" name="lang" value="english"> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"> <input type="submit" value="" id="searchButton" class="buttonImage"/> </form> </div> </div> <!-- If we have main navigation separated then it will reside here --> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="rsSearchBrowse"> <div id="rsBrowse" role="navigation"> </div> <div id="rsSearch"> <div id="rsSectionLabel">parents</div> </div> </div> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar licH"> <h1>Sleep Study (Polysomnogram)</h1> </div> <div class="clearBox"> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="xp1"> </div><br clear="all" style="width: 0; height: 0; line-height: 0; font-size: 0;"><div id="khcontent_article" lang="en-us"> <div id="NavigatePage1"> <div id="whichRead_1"><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!-- The following article is brought to you by CookChildrens. --></span><div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"><script> var theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); var rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g,"_"); var whichReadPage = 1; var doesItGotFlash = ''; makeTheRSLinkEN(); var readSpeakerDownloadLink = "//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&voice=Kate&speed=100&readid=khcontent_article&url="+theRSURL+"&audiofilename=KidsHealth_"+rsAudioTitle+""; </script></div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="languagePairLink" class="rs_skip"><a href="/CookChildrens/es/parents/sleep-study.html"><span class="pairedURLHead" lang="es">en español<img src="/images/n00/icons/langPairArrow.svg" alt=""></span><span class="pairedURLBody" lang="es">Estudio del sueño (polisomnografía)</span></a></div> <!--googleon:all--><div class="rte-image"><!--<sly data-sly-test.buttonBorder="khb-noborder"></sly> --><h3>What Is a Sleep Study?</h3><p>A sleep study (also called a <strong>polysomnogram</strong>) helps doctors diagnose sleep problems. It is an overnight test that can record a variety of body functions while a child sleeps.</p><h3>Why Is a Sleep Study Done?</h3><p>Doctors recommend a sleep study for kids who may have sleep problems such as:</p><ul><li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/apnea.html">obstructive sleep apnea</a></li><li>periodic limb movement disorder</li><li><script type="text/javascript" id="splatJS_narcolepsy_T" name="splat" src="/content/kidshealth/us/en/parents/splats/narcolepsy.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" id="splatDW_narcolepsy_T">document.write(def_narcolepsy_T);</script><noscript class="rs_skip"> narcolepsy </noscript></li><li>hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness)</li></ul><p>Doctors may also recommend a daytime study to diagnose narcolepsy and hypersomnia.</p><h3>How Should We Prepare for a Sleep Study?</h3><p>Your child:</p><ul><li>should get a normal night's sleep the night before the sleep study</li><li>can take medicines as usual</li><li>should not have any <a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/child-caffeine.html">caffeine</a> (coffee, tea, chocolate, soda, etc.)</li><li>should not nap during the day of the sleep study</li></ul><p>Plan to get to the sleep center at least 2 hours before your child's usual bedtime, or whenever the doctor requests.</p><h3>What Happens During a Sleep Study?</h3><p>The sleep technician will:</p><ul><li>place sensors on your child in different areas, such as on the head, chin, and legs, and around the eyes</li><li>put an elastic belt around your child's chest and stomach to measure breathing</li></ul><p>The sensors connect to a computer to provide information during sleep.</p><p>During a sleep study, doctors check:</p><ul><li>eye movements</li><li>heart rate</li><li>breathing patterns</li><li>brain waves (EEG)</li><li>blood oxygen level (<a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/pulse-oximetry.html">pulse ox</a>)</li><li>carbon dioxide levels</li><li>snoring and other noises</li><li>body movements and sleep positions</li><li>sleep stages</li></ul><p>A microphone records sounds and a camera may record your child's sleep. The sleep technician will be there all night, checking your child's sleep from another room. The technician can remove sensors and other devices if your child needs to use the bathroom during the night.</p><h3>Can I Stay With My Child During a Sleep Study?</h3><p>Yes, one parent or guardian can stay overnight while their child gets a sleep study. The sleep center will provide a separate bed or sleeping chair.</p><h3>How Long Does a Sleep Study Take?</h3><p>Your child will spend the night in a hospital or sleep center. In the morning, the sleep technician will wake your child and remove all sensors. The test is over in time for your child to go to school.</p><h3>When Are Sleep Study Results Ready?</h3><p>Doctors get a lot of information from a sleep study. It generally takes 3 to 4 weeks before results are ready. Usually, the doctor will schedule a follow-up visit to discuss the results.</p><h3>What Else Should I Know?</h3><p>Personal items from home can help your child feel comfortable during a sleep study. Be sure to bring:</p><ul><li>pajamas</li><li>a favorite pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal</li><li>books</li><li>other items that are part of your child's bedtime routine</li></ul><p>Most sleep centers do not provide food, so pack a bedtime snack if your child usually has one.</p></div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy">Medically reviewed by: Jodi E. Gustave, MD</div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: November 2021</div> </div><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!--Thank you for listening to this KidsHealth audio cast. The information you heard, is for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, consult your doctor. This audio cast is Copyrighted by KidsHealth. All rights are reserved.--></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="relatedBoxParents" class="t1 "> <div id="navTabs"> <ul id="navTabsPKT" role="tablist" aria-labelledby="moreOnThisTopicHeader"> <li role="presentation" class="wascurrent" id="PKTtabTeens"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="teens_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListTeens" aria-selected="false" tabindex="-1"><span>for Teens</span></button></li> <li role="presentation" class="current" id="PKTtabParents"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="parents_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListParents" aria-selected="true" tabindex="0"><span>for Parents</span></button></li> </ul> </div> <div id="mainBar"> </div> <div id="mrLinks"> <h2 id="moreOnThisTopicHeader">MORE ON THIS TOPIC</h2> <ul id="relatedArticlesListParents" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="parents_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/apnea.html">Obstructive Sleep Apnea</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/sleep-problems.html">Sleep and Your Teen</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/duchenne-md.html">Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy</a></li> </ul> <ul id="relatedArticlesListTeens" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="teens_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sleep.html">Common Sleep Problems</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="boxBreaker"> </div> <div id="zeroTester"> </div> <div id="relatedButtonsHolder"> <div id="relatedButtonsBoth"> <ul> <li id="relatedPrinterButton"><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/sleep-study.html?view=ptr" rel="nofollow" onclick="printWindow(this.href); return false;" title="This link will open in a new window.">Print<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> <li id="relatedEmailFriendButton"><a rel="nofollow" href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/sleep-study.html?view=emailto" target="_blank" title="This link will open in a new window.">Send to a Friend<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div><br clear="all"></div><br clear="all"><script>window.onload=setVars('');PKTChoose(3,0,1,0);</script><div id="kh_lic_footer"> <nav aria-label="Content info"> <ul id="kh_lic_footer_links"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/editorial-policy-licensee.html">Editorial Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/policy-licensees.html">KidsHealth Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/parents/copyright.html">Copyright</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div id="kh_lic_footer_legalease"> <p><img lang="en" alt="A KidsHealth Education Partner" src="/images/n00/logos/eduPartner3.svg"> Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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