Polysomnography in infancy - necessity or expensive luxury? Therapeutic and interventional consequences

An increasing amount of polysomnographic studies are performed in early inf ancy. Complete pediatric sleep laboratory systems are commercially availabl e and provide fast and exhaustive results if operated by trained personnel. Experience in evaluation is necessary, because a broad range of possible d iagnostic findings exists, and artifacts are common. Based on longitudinal studies in 31 healthy infants, we present reference v alues for several polysomnographic parameters. Aberrant results must be int erpreted in the context of patient's history, clinical state, and additiona l laboratory findings. In presence of a clearly defined indication for poly somnographic testing, clear therapeutic and interventional strategies can b e derived. Possible consequences include the stimulation of the respiratory drive by drugs with subsequent polysomnographic control of therapeutic eff ect, a transfusion, the prescription of a home monitor, and the recommendat ion of further diagnostics or of control polysomnographies. In conclusion, infant polysomnography is an important diagnostic tool in pe diatrics.