Patient Resources | Sleep Study Instructions

What Happens During a Sleep Study?

Sleep studies do not hurt, although occasionally blood work is requested and obtained with a finger stick. During the test, your child will have EKG (electrocardiograph) patches on the chest (to monitor heart rate), belts around the chest and belly (to monitor motion), a soft plastic tube (cannula) at the nose (measure breathing out), an adhesive bandage around the finger or toe (to monitor oxygen in the blood), a snore sensor (monitor snoring), and small wires placed on the head and taped to the face (to monitor brain wave activity, chin muscle activity, and eye muscle activity). The preparation process for your child's sleep study takes about one hour. A video camera and microphone will record your child during the sleep study.

In an effort to get the best sleep study possible it may be necessary for the Respiratory Therapist or Registered Polysomnographic Technologist to make adjustments to the belts, wires, sensors, or cannula throughout the night.

Sleep Clinics are held at two Cincinnati Children's locations: Liberty Sleep Center and Main Campus Sleep Center.

Please follow the guidelines below in order to achieve the best possible results from a sleep study for your child:

One parent/guardian only please: In an effort to obtain a quality study and to help put your child at ease during the study process we require one parent or guardian to stay overnight. For questions please contact us.

Normal as possible: Keep your child's schedule as normal as possible for several days before the study, especially the day of the study.

On the day of the study: do not let your child have food or drinks with caffeine such as coffee, tea, soft drinks or chocolate.
Your child may have dinner prior to coming to the medical center but only light snacks prior to the test.  If dinner is needed to be ordered after arriving for the sleep study please let the staff be aware. Please do not leave the premises for food after arriving.

Bed Type and Age:  All children 3 years old and younger are required to sleep in an age appropriate bed.

Pajamas:  It is best if your child wears 2 piece pajamas or a button front sleeper. Please NO one piece zipper sleepers or long gowns.

Favorite Things:   If your child has a favorite pillow, blanket, toy, or stuffed animal, you may bring it to the study. 

Avoid products for the Hair:   Wash your child's hair before the study and avoid using gel, sprays, mousse or conditioner. This keeps the small wires from sticking to the scalp.

Is Your Child on CPAP?   If your child is on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), please bring mask, headgear and tubing.

Is Your Child on a Ventilator?   If your child is on a ventilator at night, please bring all equipment that you use every night.

PLEASE BRING ALL MEDICATION THAT YOUR CHILD IS TAKING IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER(S). To help keep your child safe, care providers need to know ALL prescriptions, over the counter medications, vitamins, herbal, and nutritional supplements that your child is taking including dosages and frequency.