EPISODE 81 OF AIRWAY FIRST: PART 3 - SLEEP LAB / SLEEP STUDY FOR KIDS SERIES

Episode 81 of the Airway First podcast is now out! This is part three of our three-part sleep series. You can catch this and all other episodes on Apple, SoundCloud, Podbean, RSS, Spotify, iHeart Radio, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. And don't forget to check us out on YouTube!

My guest today is Jordan Rusk, BS, RPSGT, CCSH. As the Program Director at Lone Star College-Kingwood and an RPSGT, her work revolves around advancing healthcare education in sleep medicine and providing career opportunities for individuals with a passion for healthcare and helping others. 

At Texas Children's Hospital, Jordan's role as a Sleep Educator involved formulating a comprehensive training program to enhance the onboarding experience for sleep lab staff. This initiative underlines her commitment to medical education and the utilization of my expertise in both adult and pediatric sleep medicine to contribute to the betterment of our healthcare system.

You can learn more about Jordan via her LinkedIn profile here.

Show Notes

• Jordan Rusk, BS, RPSGT, CCSH

• Sleep Education Consortium

• Texas Society of Sleep Professionals

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IN-LAB AND AT-HOME SLEEP TESTING FOR CHILDREN

An in-lab sleep study provides a more comprehensive evaluation of a child's sleep by monitoring a wider range of physiological factors like brain activity, muscle tone, and eye movements using multiple sensors. With more than 80 sleep issues diagnosed, the monitoring available with an in-lab study is more likely to pinpoint a more accurate diagnosis.

An at-home sleep study typically only measures breathing and oxygen levels, making it less comprehensive and usually only used to diagnose suspected sleep apnea in a less invasive way.

Key differences include:

• Data Collected—An in-lab study gathers more detailed data, including brainwave activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), muscle activity (EMG), and respiratory effort. This allows for the diagnosis of various sleep disorders like narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, and sleepwalking, while a home sleep study usually only records breathing and oxygen levels. 

• Monitoring—In a sleep lab, a technician is present throughout the night to monitor the child's sleep and adjust sensors as needed. In contrast, a home sleep study is self-administered with no on-site monitoring. 

• Suitability—An in-lab sleep study is recommended for children with complex sleep concerns, a history of multiple sleep disorders, or when a more detailed evaluation is needed. A home sleep study is usually appropriate for suspected cases of simple sleep apnea, where a less invasive test is preferred. 

• Cost—Home sleep studies are typically less expensive than in-lab studies; however, they are unavailable for all age groups.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR AN IN-LAB SLEEP STUDY

Helping your child understand what to expect during a sleep test can make the experience more relaxing and improve the overall outcome. A great way to prepare them is to involve them in the process and familiarize them with the different aspects of the study beforehand.

To assist with this, we’ve compiled a list of practical tips and suggestions you can start working with your child on as soon as you make the appointment with the sleep center. These tips may help your child feel more comfortable and ready for their sleep test:

1. Start talking about the appointment a month to a few weeks before it. Show your child photos online (ones where the children are relaxed and laughing) to help them understand the procedure.

2. Make sure they understand this is painless and that no needles are involved. Watch videos about going to the doctor from The Wiggles, Daniel Tiger, or others to help them become more comfortable with the upcoming appointment.

3. Ask the lab for samples of tubes and sensors, like the oxygen nose canular. The more you expose your child to these items, the less scary they become. You can also find these items on Amazon.

4. Ask to tour the sleep center before your child's appointment.

5. Practice putting on bandaids with your child. This will get them used to having things put on and off their skin --- like they will do with the sensors in the sleep lab.

6. Move your child to a consistent sleep schedule. This will assist with the accuracy of the sleep test.

7. If your child still takes naps, do not skip the nap on the day of the sleep test. Keep their sleep schedule, including naps, consistent. Skipping a nap will most likely impact their behavior and ability to sleep soundly.

8. Bathe your child ahead of time and let them wear their favorite PJs. Avoid putting lotion on, as it can impact the adhesive of the sensors. Also, bring a second pair of PJs—just in case.

9. Let your child bring blankets, stuffed animals, an iPad, a book, or their favorite pillow to the sleep lab. This will help them feel more comfortable and have a more accurate sleep test. You can also bring along a bedtime snack or book to read them before they fall asleep.

10. If your child takes medications at night or first thing in the morning, bring them with you. The sleep center will not disperse the medicines, but you can give them to your child as usual. The key is to keep things as consistent as possible.

The Children's Airway First Foundation Resource library has information that can help identify symptoms and provide guidance on the first steps towards helping your child with an airway and sleep disorder.

As with any medical condition, consult your child's pediatrician should you see any of these symptoms in your child or suspect your child suffers from an airway disorder.