[Guest]

My son recently did the at home sleep test (he is 6 1/2 and suspected to have OSA). The results came in as follows apnea index of 3.8 and Respitory disturbance index of 19.8 based upon 190 minutes of analyzed sleep time. I am trying to decide if he should have tonsils and adnoids removed. The ENT says yes but I am always a bit suspicious and looking for an idependent opinion. The other thing is that the test at home seemed so bogus because I keep thinking he slept bad because of the test - you know it kept him up! Thoughts opinions would be appreciated. By the way is RDI a standard measurement or can it be defined in a variety of ways (i.e. per hour, per sleep study etc.)

[Guest]

I can't give you an opinion about your son but can tell you my opinion in general on peditric sleep apnea. For children of his age, an apnea index of 3.8 is abnormal and a RDI of 19.8 is very abnormal. Portable studies are concerning, especially in pediatrics as they can misdiagnose or miss things during the sleep. An in laboratory study is best with some measure of airflow limitation such as end tidal CO2 monitoring or nasal pressure monitoring. These are very important in children. For an abnormal sleep study, removing the tonsils and adenoids is the usual treatment and most kids have no further porblems.
[quote] My son recently did the at home sleep test (he is 6 1/2 and suspected to have OSA). The results came in as follows apnea index of 3... [/quote]

[Guest]

Thank you so much for your comments. I am not anxious to now have my son to another study at a lab but will if necessary. I guess my only question is how inaccurate do the home tests tend to be? What I mean is - will an in lab test possibly completely contradict this information or is it more likely to say he has a little milder or a little more severe sleep apnea but nonetheless he still has sleep apena?? WE did the at home study on two nights and he his results were relatively consistent both nights from an apnea standpoint as well as oxegen level desaturations etc. The test included an Oximmetry analysis (with the tubes under his nose). Is that the tidal co2 you refer to? Do you know what I mean about continuing to test?? If I'm going to get more precies but similar info then I won't put him through it..
[quote] I can't give you an opinion about your son but can tell you my opinion in general on peditric sleep apnea. For children of his age, an apnea index of 3... [/quote]

[Guest]

portable studies are generally not terribly accurate so an in lab study may well change the diagnosis. Also children tend to hypoventilate or take shallow breaths rather than have apnea. These can only be detected well by an endtidal co2 monitor, very unlikely that was done on a home study. I can understand your resistance to having your child go through more tests but I would not want him to undergo surgery based on a test that may not be accurate.
[quote] Thank you so much for your comments. I am not anxious to now have my son to another study at a lab but will if necessary... [/quote]