Pediatric oxygen titration

Q: What is pediatric oxygen titration and sleep study (polysomnography)?

If the sleep specialist suspects OSAS, she will use a CPAP machine to deliver oxygen to your child through a mask. While your child sleeps, a technician or respiratory therapist will check his oxygen levels using oxygen titration and adjust the flow of air to find the right setting. Normal blood oxygen saturation is between 97-99% for most kids.

Q: How can I tell if my child needs pediatric oxygen titration?

An initial CPAP titration is only performed as part of a sleep study (polysomnography). Your child may qualify for a sleep study if they have ongoing sleeping problems that interfere with life. Children with sleep disorders, including OSAS, often have excessive daytime sleepiness or behavioral problems. If your child is having persistent trouble sleeping, see a doctor.

Q: What are the symptoms of OSAs in children?

Children with OSAS may have the following symptoms while sleeping: Snoring Gasping Breathing through the mouth Labored breathing Sleeping in abnormal positions (with the neck extended)

Q: What kind of equipment is used in pediatric oxygen titration?

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is applied using a special machine. The CPAP machine delivers air through special hoses and a latex mask designed to fit your child’s face.

Q: How often is pediatric oxygen titration used for children?

Around 2% of kids have OSAS, which can be due to small airways or enlarged tonsils. Oxygen titration using a CPAP machine is rarely used on kids with other sleep disorders.

Q: How does pediatric oxygen titration diagnose obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

CPAP titration is part of an overnight sleep study (polysomnography). Technicians can adjust the amount of oxygen to see if it improves your child’s SPO2 levels and determine if she’s sleeping better.

Q: What is a normal blood oxygen saturation level?

Normal blood oxygen saturation levels are between 97 and 99%. Anything below 90% suggests a breathing problem that can be treated with oxygen titration.

Q: What is the prognosis for children receiving pediatric oxygen titration?

Children who adjust to using a CPAP machine at home usually sleep better. Treating OSAS and other sleep disorders can improve concentration, behavior and learning during the day.

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What is pediatric oxygen titration?

Oxygen titration is used as part of a sleep study to determine blood oxygen saturation (SPO2). Oxygen titration can be used again as a treatment for sleeping disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

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What is pediatric oxygen titration?

What are the benefits of pediatric oxygen titration?

Oxygen titration allows doctors to determine a patient's baseline blood oxygen saturation. When children undergo a sleep study, one of the tests they receive is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration. Low levels of oxygen may mean a child's excessive daytime sleepiness or insomnia is due to a disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

While some kids may have excessive daytime sleepiness, younger children may have daytime symptoms such as:

Behavioral issues
Hyperactivity
Inability to concentrate
Poor performance in school

In severe cases, children may display a failure to thrive or have symptoms of right-sided heart failure.

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What are the benefits of pediatric oxygen titration?

While some kids may have excessive daytime sleepiness, younger children may have daytime symptoms such as:

Behavioral issues
Hyperactivity
Inability to concentrate
Poor performance in school

In severe cases, children may display a failure to thrive or have symptoms of right-sided heart failure.

How do I prepare my child for pediatric oxygen titration at home?

Using a CPAP machine can be a difficult adjustment for many children. Doctors recommend desensitizing infants and young kids to get them used to the process.

Daytime desensitization

Introducing your child to the mask.
Placing the mask on your child's face, attaching the hose to one side of the cap and turning the air on for 5 seconds.
Repeating the above procedure for 10 seconds and again for 1 minute.
Attaching the hose to both sides of the cap and repeating the above steps.
Having your child wear the mask while lying down, as the air flows for 10 minutes and then again for 15 minutes.

Nighttime desensitization

Begin running the CPAP machine in your child's room without attaching the mask for a few nights (so they get used to the noise).
Once the CPAP is part of the bedtime routine, try to get your child to fall asleep with the mask on their face (with the air on) for 15 minutes.
Repeat the above nightly until your child begins to fall asleep on his own with the mask in place.

If the mask falls off during the night (or your child removes it), attempt to replace it without waking your child.

Read more +

How do I prepare my child for pediatric oxygen titration at home?

Using a CPAP machine can be a difficult adjustment for many children. Doctors recommend desensitizing infants and young kids to get them used to the process.

Daytime desensitization

Introducing your child to the mask.
Placing the mask on your child's face, attaching the hose to one side of the cap and turning the air on for 5 seconds.
Repeating the above procedure for 10 seconds and again for 1 minute.
Attaching the hose to both sides of the cap and repeating the above steps.
Having your child wear the mask while lying down, as the air flows for 10 minutes and then again for 15 minutes.

Nighttime desensitization

Begin running the CPAP machine in your child's room without attaching the mask for a few nights (so they get used to the noise).
Once the CPAP is part of the bedtime routine, try to get your child to fall asleep with the mask on their face (with the air on) for 15 minutes.
Repeat the above nightly until your child begins to fall asleep on his own with the mask in place.

If the mask falls off during the night (or your child removes it), attempt to replace it without waking your child.