Another look at the necessity of polysomnography for infants with Prader-Willi syndrome prior to initiation of growth hormone therapy.

Abstract

The average age of diagnosis of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) in most countries is less than 6 months of age. With the current medical knowledge of the benefits of growth hormone for infants with PWS, including improved cognitive function and improved psychomotor development, parents of infants with PWS want growth hormone therapy initiated as soon as possible. But the current recommendations to perform overnight polysomnography prior to initiation of growth hormone treatment often delays the initiation of therapy. We submit that overnight polysomnography for young infants (<6 months of age) is not necessary prior to growth hormone treatment, as there are no findings on polysomnography in this age group that should delay or prevent the initiation of growth hormone therapy.