Symbolic dynamics to enhance diagnostic ability of portable oximetry from the phone oximeter in the detection of paediatric sleep apnoea.

Objective: This study is aimed at assessing symbolic dynamics as a reliable technique to characterise complex fluctuations of portable oximetry in the context of automated detection of childhood obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS).

Approach: Nocturnal oximetry signals from 142 children with suspected OSAHS were acquired using the Phone Oximeter: a portable device that integrates a pulse oximeter with a smartphone. An apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥5 events/h from simultaneous in-lab polysomnography was used to confirm moderate-to-severe childhood OSAHS.

Utility of bispectrum in the screening of pediatric sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome using oximetry recordings.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the utility of bispectrum-based oximetry approaches as a complementary tool to traditional techniques in the screening of pediatric sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS).

Methods: 298 blood oxygen saturation (SpO) signals from children ranging 0-13 years of age were recorded during overnight polysomnography (PSG). These recordings were divided into three severity groups according to the PSG-derived apnea hypopnea index (AHI): AHI < 5 events per hour (e/h), 5 ≤ AHI < 10 e/h, AHI ≥ 10 e/h.