Sleep problems in children

Minerva Pediatr. 2013 Oct;65(5):457-72.

Abstract

Sleep complaints and sleep disorders are common during childhood and adolescence. The impact of not getting enough sleep may affect children's' physical health as well emotional, cognitive and social development. Insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, parasomnias and sleep disturbances associated with medical and psychiatric disorders are some of the commonly encountered sleep disorders in this age group. Changes in sleep architecture and the amount of sleep requirement associated with each stage of development should be considered during an evaluation of sleep disorders in children. Behavioral treatments should be used initially wherever possible especially considering that most pharmacologic agents used to treat pediatric sleep disorders are off-label. In this review we address the most common sleep problems in children/adolescents as they relate to prevalence, presentation and symptoms, evaluation and management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / complications
  • Narcolepsy / diagnosis
  • Narcolepsy / therapy
  • Parasomnias / diagnosis
  • Parasomnias / therapy
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / therapy
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / diagnosis
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / therapy
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / etiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / therapy