Sleep study in the hospital (1738)
Key points below
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study is done to test for problems your child may have while sleeping. Some children stop breathing. This is called apnea. Others may have seizure activity or unusual movement. While your child is asleep, machines will check your child’s:
- breathing, heart rate and rhythm.
- brain activity.
- oxygen levels in their blood.
How is it done?
The study may be done in your child’s room or your child may come down to the sleep lab, based on the doctor’s orders. The machines on the cart will get information about your child’s sleep.
- Stickers with wires attached will be placed on your child’s head, face, and chest. A sensor will also go on your child’s finger. These things will help gather the information about your child.
- Some children are bothered by stickers and wires, but they do not hurt. - The staff will talk with your child’s nurse to decide the best time in the evening to set up the sleep study. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes.
What should you expect during the sleep study?
- It is important for your child to sleep during the study.
- They should stay in the bed or crib.
- It is best for your child to sleep without waking during the study.
- If they wake up, try to calm them back to sleep.
- If your child does not sleep long enough, another sleep test may need to be done. - In the morning, a blood sample may be taken for labs.
- The study will end about 5:00 am and the staff will remove the stickers and wires.
- A doctor will contact you to talk about the information. It can take as long as 48 hours to know all the results.
- Call the sleep lab at 414-266-2790 or visit https://childrenswi.org/sleepstudy if you have any questions about your sleep study.
For other health and wellness information, check out this resource: