Pediatric Sleep Study in Bangalore | Polysomnography for Children
Comprehensive overnight sleep study for children in Bangalore to diagnose sleep apnea. Shishuka Children's Hospital, one of the few centres offering pediatric polysomnography.
Pediatric Sleep Study (Polysomnography) in Bangalore
A comprehensive overnight test that monitors your child's breathing, oxygen levels, brain activity and movement during sleep — the definitive way to diagnose sleep apnea and other complex sleep disorders.
A pediatric sleep study, medically known as polysomnography, is a non-invasive overnight test that monitors multiple body functions while your child sleeps. Small, painless sensors placed on the scalp, face, chest and fingers track brain wave activity (sleep stages), breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and muscle movements, building a complete picture of what happens during a full night's sleep.
This is considered the gold-standard test for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea and other complex sleep disorders in children, since it captures information that simply cannot be gathered through observation or questionnaires alone. Shishuka Children's Hospital is among the few centres in Bangalore offering specialised pediatric sleep studies in a safe, child-friendly environment.
Signs Your Child May Need a Sleep Study
A pediatric sleep specialist may recommend this test if your child has:
Loud or habitual snoring most nights
Observed breathing pauses or gasping during sleep
Excessive daytime sleepiness despite what seems like adequate sleep time
Behavioural issues or poor school performance potentially linked to poor sleep quality
Persistent snoring despite treatment, such as after tonsil or adenoid surgery
Underlying conditions like obesity or neuromuscular disorders that increase sleep apnea risk
What a Sleep Study Monitors
A complete polysomnography captures several body signals simultaneously throughout the night.
1. Brain Activity (EEG)
Tracks sleep stages, showing how much time your child spends in light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep throughout the night.
2. Breathing Patterns & Oxygen Levels
Monitors airflow and oxygen saturation to detect pauses in breathing (apneas) or shallow breathing (hypopneas), the hallmark signs of sleep apnea.
3. Heart Rate
Records how the heart responds to breathing disturbances during sleep, adding another layer of diagnostic detail.
4. Muscle Movements & Sleep Behaviours
Captures body movements and limb activity, helping identify restless sleep, parasomnias, or other movement-related sleep disturbances.
Sleep Study vs. Other Sleep Assessments
Here's how a full sleep study compares to other tools used to evaluate sleep concerns.
Assessment
Setting
Best For
Limitation
Full Polysomnography
Overnight, in-hospital
Definitive diagnosis of sleep apnea and complex disorders
Requires one overnight hospital stay
Home Sleep Apnea Test
At home
Simpler cases in older children
Less comprehensive; not validated for young children
Pediatric DISE
Sedated procedure
Identifying the exact site of airway obstruction
Used after, not instead of, a sleep study in most cases
Sleep Questionnaires
Clinic visit
Initial screening & symptom tracking
Cannot confirm a diagnosis on its own
How the Sleep Study is Performed at Shishuka
A calm, overnight process in a setting designed specifically to help children feel comfortable.
1
Pre-Study Consultation
Your sleep specialist reviews your child's sleep history and explains what to expect, so both you and your child know what the night will involve.
2
Sensor Placement
Small, soft sensors are gently attached to the scalp, face, chest, and fingers using washable adhesives, no needles are involved at any point.
3
Overnight Monitoring
Your child sleeps as normally as possible in a private, child-friendly room, with a parent typically able to stay overnight, while equipment continuously records data through the night.
4
Results & Follow-Up
The recorded data is analysed in detail, and results are discussed at a follow-up visit, along with a clear treatment plan based on the findings.
What to Look For in Pediatric Sleep Study Care
Accurate results depend on the right equipment, expertise, and a setting where children can actually sleep.
🔬 One of the Few Centres Offering This in Bangalore
Specialised pediatric sleep studies not widely available elsewhere in the city.
🩺 Experienced Pediatric Sleep Specialists
Results interpreted by specialists trained in the unique patterns of childhood sleep.
💛 Child-Safe, Comfortable Environment
A private, welcoming setting designed to help children fall asleep as naturally as possible.
🤝 Multidisciplinary Coordination
Findings shared across pulmonology, ENT, and neurology teams when a case needs it.
📍 Multiple Bangalore Locations
Consultations available at Kalyan Nagar, RT Nagar, Malleswaram and New BEL Road.
After the Study: What Parents Should Know
There's no recovery needed — your child can go home the next morning and return to normal activities right away. A gentle wash removes any remaining sensor adhesive from the skin and hair without any fuss.
Since a large amount of data is recorded overnight, detailed analysis takes some time, so results aren't given the same morning. A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to discuss findings and outline treatment, which may range from lifestyle changes to surgery or CPAP therapy, depending on what's found.
Concerned About Your Child's Sleep Breathing?
A sleep study can bring clear answers. Book a consultation with our pediatric sleep care team.