We developed a portable recording system, suitable for unattended use
in a patient's home, that quantitates the essential diagnostic element
s of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea sysndrome (OSAS): obstructive,
mixed and central apneas and hyponeas: hemoglobin saturation, sleep vs
. wakefulness; body and head positions: snoring; and sleep disturbance
. The present paper reviews validation studies and summarizes two rece
nt studies that demonstrate the unique advantages of performing clinic
al and research cardiorespiratory sleep studies in the child's home. D
evelopment of inexpensive, portable recorders that integrate audiovisu
al and physiologic information will make such home recordings more wid
ely available.