Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819333
Sleep disorders during childhood
Sleep disorders during childhood are common. Night wakings and bedtime resistance are more prevalent in preschool children, while school-age children and adolescents primarily exhibit difficulties in falling asleep at night (delayed sleep phase). As a consequence insufficient sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness may occur in older children, in particular during school-days. Parasomnias like sleep terrors, sleep walking, nightmares or enuresis also occur frequently in children.
Organic sleep disorders include obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy which typically emerges during adolescence. Restless legs syndrome has recently been recognized as a distinct entity and has also been described in children.
Severe sleep-wake rhythm disorders have been reported in particular among children with developmental delays, with seizures or with neurological disorders. In these children sleep medication (melatonin) may be helpful in addition to behavioral treatment.
Sleep problems may have significant impacts on health, behavior and development of the child as well as on parents and family functioning. Behavioral management strategies are often effective, but medication may be used additionally in specific cases. There is still a considerable lack of controlled clinical trials about medication for sleep disorders in childhood and adolescence.
Keywords: sleep disorders, parasomnias, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea