Home sleep tests versus in-lab sleep studies to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea in children
Home sleep apnea testing compared to in-lab polysomnography for the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea in children
This project compares home sleep testing to overnight lab sleep studies to see whether home tests can find obstructive sleep apnea in children as reliably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If your child snores or has breathing problems during sleep, this project will compare an at-home sleep test to the standard overnight lab sleep study (polysomnography) to determine how often each finds obstructive sleep apnea. Children enrolled will undergo the home test and a lab overnight test so researchers can compare diagnostic results and whether those results would lead to the same treatment choices. The team will measure accuracy, agreement for therapy decisions, and acceptability to families, building on preliminary data that home testing can be feasible and preferred. The work is being led at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and follows a milestone-driven comparative effectiveness approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children with symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea (for example loud snoring, witnessed pauses, or daytime behavioral problems) who are being considered for diagnostic sleep testing.
Not a fit: Adults and children with medical conditions that require full in-lab monitoring or those already definitively diagnosed by prior polysomnography may not benefit from the home test option.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, home testing could make diagnosis easier and more convenient so more children get timely treatment without an overnight stay in a sleep lab.
How similar studies have performed: Adult trials showed similar treatment outcomes when using home tests versus lab studies, while pediatric work is limited but early data suggest home testing can be feasible and possibly accurate.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cielo, Christopher Michael — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Cielo, Christopher Michael
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.