Pediatric Sleep Studies
Note to Parents
We strongly encourage tours prior to the study to help children be as comfortable as possible
To arrange a tour, please call us at (608) 232-3333. |
A sleep study is a special test that checks several things while your child sleeps. This ncludes, but is not limited to:
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Brain activity
- Breathing
- Oxygen level during sleep
Preparing Your Child for a Sleep Study
- Bring your child’s favorite pajamas or nightgown.
- Bring your child’s favorite blanket, pillow, doll, stuffed animal and/or storybook.
- Bring any medicine(s) your child may need during the study.
-
Eat before you come. Please make sure that your
child avoids caffeine on the day of the study. - Bring any necessary snacks, special foods or formula for your child. There is a refrigerator available if you need to store something overnight.
- If your child is sick the day before or the day of the
study, please call the clinic to see if the study can
still be done. We do not recommend having the
sleep study if your child has had a fever within
24 hours prior to the night of the sleep study or
if your child has a significant upper respiratory
infection which would include coughing, runny
nose or nasal congestion. - If your child is under 5 years old and routinely takes a nap, it is fine for them to take a nap the day of the study.
When You Arrive
- A parent or caregiver must be with your child at the Sleep Center. Only one person may stay overnight with your child.
- The Wisconsin Sleep Center is a smoke-free facility.
- Cell phones do not work within the Wisconsin Sleep building. Telephones are available in patient rooms.
Preparation at Wisconsin Sleep
It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to get your child ready
for the study. For infants and toddlers, the set-up may
take longer.
- Wires with small buttons at the end, called electrodes, will be put on your child’s head, face, chest and legs. Tape or a bandage will keep the electrodes in place through the night.
- A small wire and plastic tube will be taped under your child’s nose.
- Your child will also wear a special belt around the chest and stomach.
None of this preparation will hurt your child.
During the Test
One parent or caregiver will stay with your child
during the night. The technologist will watch
your child by video camera for the entire night.
A microphone will also record your child. The child
is allowed to sleep and awaken on their own in
the morning so that we can acquire as much
information as possible.
After the Test
When the study is over, the technologist will take the
wires and tubes off and unhook your child from the
monitors. The child and parent or caregiver will be able
to eat a continental breakfast and shower prior to
going home.
Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT)
The MSLT is a test that measures sleepiness. It is
important that your child stay in the Sleep Center the
night before the MSLT. This will let the technologist see
exactly how much sleep your child had. Additionally,
we ask that you bring sleep logs that have recorded
the amount of sleep that the child has had for
one to two weeks prior to the MSLT.
During the test, your child will take naps. The naps usually occur around 8am, 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm, depending on the time when your child awakens in the morning. The naps take between 15 to 30 minutes to complete. The technologist will wake your child at the end of each nap.
The MSLT usually ends around 5pm. Lunch is provided during the day for the child and parent or caregiver. Please bring some quiet activities that can be done during the day for your child.
Results
The doctors and technologist will review the results of
the sleep study. They will send the results to your child’s
physician. Your child’s physician can share the results
with you and your child or you may receive the results of
the sleep study at your clinic visit at Wisconsin Sleep.
