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Pulmonology (Lung Disease)

Common Pediatric Sleep Disorders

The most common of sleep problems include:

• Sleeplessness -- Includes bedtime problems, poor napping, and nighttime awakening
• Parasomnias -- Includes sleepwalking, night terrors, bedwetting, and confusional arousals and are most common between the ages of 4 and 12 years. Education, reassurance, and improved sleep habits can help control these disorders, which usually improve with age.
• Sleep schedule abnormalities -- Problems that affect the timing and quality of sleep during the night and day, and therefore affect the ability of the child to sleep during normal sleep periods and function normally when awake.
• Obstruction of the airways -- Often leads to sleep apnea and can result in oxygen deprivation and disrupted sleep. Symptoms are loud snoring, struggling to breathe and restless sleep. Sleep apnea can also lead to heart failure and neurocognitive difficulties, such as learning problems and hyperactivity. Children at higher than average risk include those with facial deformities, Down Syndrome, a history of lung or neuromuscular disease, and obesity. Surgical and medical treatments are available.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness -- A common problem of adolescence, it is usually caused by insufficient sleep, but may be associated with serious conditions such as narcolepsy, (falling asleep suddenly many times during the day), sleep apnea or the delayed sleep phase syndrome (an inability to fall asleep until 3 or 4 am, and trouble getting out of bed in the morning). Treatment for delayed sleep phase syndrome includes encouraging good sleep habits, strict scheduling, phototherapy, and sometimes medication.
• Behavioral sleep problems -- These issues are characterized by either difficulty falling asleep and/or waking up many times during the night. A thorough evaluation of a child's sleep history determines the therapy, which is tailored to the needs of the child and the family.