Pediatric Sleep Studies & Children's Sleep Disorders

OSA is one of the most common — and most underdiagnosed — sleep disorders in children. It occurs when the airway becomes partially or fully blocked during sleep, causing the brain to repeatedly rouse the child to reopen it. Most children with OSA don't remember these awakenings, making parental observation critical. Children with sleep apnea may not snore loudly. Look for: mouth breathing during sleep, restlessness, bedwetting, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, difficulty waking in the morning, and poor school performance — even without obvious snoring.

The most common cause in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. OSA is most frequently diagnosed in children ages 3 to 6. Research also suggests a link between sleep apnea and ADHD-like hyperactivity in children. 

When to seek care: snoring, squeaking, labored breathing, or restlessness during sleep — these are not normal and warrant evaluation

Sleep terrors are episodes of intense fear, screaming, or thrashing during the night — usually in the first few hours of sleep. Unlike nightmares, children having a sleep terror are not fully awake and typically have no memory of the episode. Sleepwalking follows a similar pattern. Both are considered parasomnias and are most common in school-age children.

When to seek care: episodes are frequent, result in injury, or cause significant distress for the child or household

Children can experience insomnia just as adults do — difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. In children, insomnia is often tied to anxiety, inconsistent sleep schedules, screen use before bed, or an underlying medical or behavioral condition.

When to seek care: sleep problems that persist beyond a few weeks and affect school or daily functioning

Children with RLS experience uncomfortable sensations in the legs — often described as crawling, tingling, or an urge to move — that worsen at rest and interfere with falling asleep. RLS in children is sometimes misidentified as growing pains.

When to seek care: nightly leg discomfort that delays sleep onset or is described as painful

While bedwetting is developmentally normal in young children, persistent bedwetting beyond age 5 or 6 may signal an underlying issue — including, in some cases, sleep apnea. When the airway is repeatedly obstructed during sleep, the resulting arousal pattern can interfere with normal bladder control signals.

When to seek care: bedwetting that persists past age 5–6, or that returns after a period of dryness

Explain the visit in simple terms: "We're going to a special place where doctors watch you sleep to make sure you're getting good rest."

Your child can bring their favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or pillow. Familiar items help ease the transition to a new sleep environment.

Call ahead if your child has specific anxieties. Our team is experienced at making children of all ages feel comfortable and safe.

Avoid letting your child nap in the afternoon before the study so they are ready to sleep at their normal bedtime.

No. A sleep study is completely painless. Small sticker electrodes are placed on the skin to monitor sleep — the only sensation is similar to removing a bandage in the morning. Most children fall asleep without difficulty once they're settled in.

CoxHealth offers sleep studies for children of all ages. Your child's physician will determine whether a sleep study is appropriate based on their age, symptoms, and development.

Yes. A parent or caregiver stays in the room with the child throughout the entire overnight stay. You will have your own bed or sleeping area in or next to your child's room.

A sleep study can detect obstructive sleep apnea, REM sleep behavior disorder, periodic limb movement disorder, sleep terrors, sleepwalking, narcolepsy, and other sleep-related conditions. It measures brain activity, heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, and muscle movement throughout the night.

Not necessarily, but it warrants evaluation. While all children snore occasionally, frequent or loud snoring combined with mouth breathing, restlessness, or behavioral changes during the day can be signs of obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep study is the most reliable way to diagnose or rule it out.

Talk to your child's pediatrician or primary care physician. They can refer you to the CoxHealth Sleep Disorders Center. Once the referral is received, our team will reach out to schedule your child's appointment.