Diagnostic techniques for obstructive sleep apnoea: is polysomnography necessary?

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition of childhood with significant associated morbidity. The comprehensive evaluation of children who present with suggestive symptoms involves the overnight recording and assessment of both sleep and respiration by polysomnography in a sleep laboratory. These studies require resources and facilities that are not widely available and thus simpler, more available and less expensive alternatives have been sought. This review discusses the available alternatives to polysomnography for the evaluation of the child with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea.