Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of using a new home cardiorespiratory recording device (HCRD) in children.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Patients: Consecutive children scheduled for adenotonsillectomy to treat habitual snoring and/or apneas at otorhinolaryngology clinics in 2 academic and 7 general hospitals.
Intervention: Single-night unattended home cardiorespiratory recording prior to adenotonsillectomy using the HCRD.
Main outcome measures: Number of technically acceptable recordings and successful recordings with artifact-free signals (respiration, saturation, and nasal flow) present for sufficient duration to allow scoring of the polysomnogram and to make a diagnosis.
Results: Of 53 eligible children, 24 participated in the study. The main reason for nonparticipation was refusal of caregivers (n = 16). Mean (SD) age of participants was 4.2 (1.6) years; median Brouillette obstructive sleep apnea score was 2.54. Technically acceptable recordings were obtained in 18 children (75%). Only 7 recordings (29%) were classified as successful. The poorest signal quality was obtained from the nasal cannula.
Conclusion: Based on strict scoring criteria in this study, the results of single-night unattended recordings at home with the HCRD fell short of expectations.