The Paediatric Sleep Lab provides evaluation of sleep disorders, such as obstructive or central sleep apnea, and nocturnal hypoventilation in genetic or neuromuscular diseases. We are not currently assessing otherwise healthy children with sleep-related behavioural disorders, such as insomnia.
Location: Paediatric Medical Day Unit (PMDU) – Zone B, Level 1, Room B1-300
Phone: 519-685-8500 ext. 56642
Email: paediatricsleeplab@lhsc.on.ca
Parking is available in P8 parking garage (off Baseline Road). You can access our clinic space by entering on Level 1 and walking straight until you reach the PMDU doors. Please visit LHSC’s Maps & Directions page for more information.
What to bring
- Your child’s health card
- Nighttime and emergency medications (including those for seizures)
- Two-piece pyjamas
- Toiletries (including diapers)
- Food
- Their favourite toy, blanket or book
- Any equipment that might be needed for overnight care if they have special needs (i.e. ostomy, trach obturator and spare trach, CPAP or BIPAP and mask)
What to expect during your child’s stay
The Paediatric Sleep Lab will assess your child for a variety of sleep disorders by monitoring their breathing and patterns during sleep.
To do this, the following equipment will be gently placed on your child:
- Sensors and stickers on the head (to monitor brain activity)
- Belts around their chest (to monitor breathing)
- Sensor under their nose (to measure airflow)
- A clip on their finger (to read oxygen)
- Sensors on their chin and legs (to measure muscle tone)
The medical name for a sleep study like this is a polysomnogram (paul-ee-SOM-no-gram). Sleep studies are used to diagnose breathing problems associated with sleep, as well as to guide and adjust treatments for sleep disordered breathing. Because this is a non-invasive test, it does not hurt.
The child’s hair and face must be clean, dry and free of products during this process, which typically takes about 30 minutes.
You must accompany your child overnight. You will be sharing a room with them, and all hygiene and routine medical care is your responsibility.
Staff will wake you and your child up at 6 a.m. to remove all sensors and allow you to go home.
After your child’s stay
Results of the sleep study will be sent to the doctor or nurse practitioner who referred your child. They will schedule an appointment with you to discuss the outcome and potential treatment options.
Cancellations
If your child is sick or has a fever, please call us to reschedule as soon as possible, as sleep studies should be done when your child is at baseline health. We require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice whenever possible so we can offer the spot to another family that has been waiting.
For health-care providers
Our Paediatric Sleep Team consists of doctors, respiratory therapists and polysomnographic technologists who have specific expertise in children’s sleep.
We welcome referrals for patients ranging from infancy to 18 years old. Referrals must be completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
View and download our referral form
Completed referral forms can be faxed to 519-685-8156. For any questions, please call 519-685-8500 ext. 56642 or email paediatricsleeplab@lhsc.on.ca.
Please note: Referrals are triaged and wait times may be long.
