Diagnostic Criteria and Testing for Central Sleep Apnea in Children

Diagnostic Testing Requirements

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends in-laboratory polysomnography as the diagnostic method of choice for diagnosing central sleep apnea in children, which includes measurements such as central apnea index, oxygen saturation monitoring, carbon dioxide monitoring, detection of arousals, and video monitoring to assess clinical manifestations 1, 2
Home sleep apnea tests (HSATs) are not recommended for diagnosing sleep apnea in children, including central apnea, due to their inability to monitor CO2 levels and detect arousals 2, 3

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine notes that CSA may be underdiagnosed if only HSATs are used due to their limitations in monitoring CO2 levels and detecting arousals 2