O016 Caregivers’ Perspectives on the Sonomat as a Polysomnography Alternative in Children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently require repeated polysomnography (PSG) to diagnose and monitor sleep disordered breathing (SDB). PSG set-up can be distressing for this population, who may struggle with sensor and lead application. The Sonomat, a non-invasive mattress overlay, has now been shown to accurately detect and profile SDB in this population. The aim of this study was to evaluate caregiver experiences of undertaking home Sonomat monitoring in their child with DS, compared to conventional lab PSG. Method Children with DS aged 2-17yrs undergoing a diagnostic PSG at the Queensland Children’s Hospital completed a PSG questionnaire about their child’s experience of this test. Those that also undertook home Sonomat monitoring completed a questionnaire about their experience of using the Sonomat in the home. Results Caregivers of fifty-one children with DS (median age 7yrs, 52% male) completed the PSG questionnaire and twenty-five completed the Sonomat questionnaire. 45% (n=51) of caregivers reported that in-lab PSG was ‘hard’ or ‘very hard’ for their child. 100% (n=25) of the caregivers rated their experience of using the Sonomat at home as good, very good or excellent. 88% (n=25) of caregivers felt that the Sonomat was their preferred option for monitoring in children with DS, as opposed to a traditional in-lab PSG. Conclusion In this study, the Sonomat was viewed favourably by caregivers of children with DS, and in the majority of instances was preferred to in-hospital PSG.