Introduction
Quality sleep is very important for the overall growth of a child. To improve a child's sleep, parents try to form various strategies. Disruptive sleep-related behaviors affect the overall behavior of the child. It affects the child's whole daytime and nighttime schedule. Therefore, an acceptable quality of sleep time and duration is essential. If the child suffers from a sleep disorder, the child appears more moody and irritable and acts more disruptive. Therefore, parents need to encourage good sleeping habits and patterns.
Why Is Sleep Important for Children?
Sleep is essential for children's health and development. Lack of sleep causes several physical, emotional, mental, and psychological issues. Sleep provides rest to the body and brain. Children up to five years of age need an average of twelve hours of sleep. Most of the time, children do not get enough sleep.
Following are the signs of sleep deprivation in children:
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Irritability in behavior.
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Feeling sleepy during the daytime.
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Trouble in controlling emotions.
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Change in behavior.
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Memory issues.
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Health issues.
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Problem-solving skills are affected.
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Children act in a more disruptive way.
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Child performance at the school level is affected.
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Depressive feelings and negative thoughts.
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Reduced ability to function.
What Causes Pediatric Sleep Disorder?
Some sleep issues in children have similar causes to those in adults. Obesity is a key risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing problem during sleep, in people of all ages. Also, sleep disorders like restless legs syndrome, which can be hereditary, affect both children and adults. Certain medical conditions and anxiety disorders also raise the risk of sleep problems at any age.
However, there are also behaviors specific to children that can lead to sleep issues. Up until around age five, trouble sleeping is often due to inconsistent bedtimes and resistance to going to bed.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Disorders in Children?
Parents need to observe the symptoms of sleep disorders in their children. Most of the time, children usually feel restless and irritable due to occasional poor sleep. However, parents should rule out sleep disorders if this becomes a pattern.
The following are the few symptoms seen in children having sleeping disorders.
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The child cannot sleep, even lying in bed for hours.
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The child sleeps only for one or two hours, even at night.
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Itchy legs are present during the nighttime.
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The child snores very loudly.
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The child feels anxious and is urged to cuddle in the middle of the night.
What Are the Sleep Disorders Found in Children?
The American Psychiatric Association defines sleep disorders as problems associated with timing, sleep duration, and sleep quality. The sleep disorder can lead to distress and decreased ability to function. In addition, sleep disorders are related to typical behaviors and neurological conditions.
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Child Insomnia - Child insomnia occurs when a child has difficulty sleeping for more than three weeks. The child refuses to go to sleep.
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Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome - Delayed sleep phase syndrome is also a sleepy teen syndrome. It is found in late childhood and early adolescence. Children are unable to fall asleep for more than two hours. The children have difficulties waking up in the morning. A disturbance causes it in the child's circadian rhythm and biological clock. Children sleep more on weekends and feel lethargic.
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Hypersomnia - A child suffering from hypersomnia has a disturbed sleeping pattern. They tend to sleep more during the daytime. Various neurological conditions cause hypersomnia, such as narcolepsy. It causes loss of muscle control and frequent dozing. It can be caused by various conditions, such as delayed sleep phase syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.
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Parasomnias - These are a series of physical events and experiences that occur during falling asleep. Sleepwalking, sleep terrors, and night walking are commonly seen in children.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea - Breathing difficulties faced by the child during sleep. Children suffering from this disorder snore and may frequently awake at night. It is commonly seen in children with enlarged tonsils, adenoids, cleft lip, cleft palate, and developmental defects found in the head and neck.
What Are the Diagnostic Tests for Pediatric Sleep Disorder?
The child’s doctor will consider their medical and sleep history to choose the best test. These tests include:
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Sleep Study: This overnight test, called a polysomnogram (PSG), is conducted in the sleep lab to observe how the child sleeps. It aids in diagnosing sleep apnea and other disorders. During the test, parents have the option to remain with their child.
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Electroencephalogram (EEG): This test monitors the brain's activity during sleep, including sleep stages and wakefulness episodes.
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Multiple Sleep Latency Test: Used to investigate unexplained sleepiness and diagnose narcolepsy, it measures how quickly the child falls asleep during a series of naps by monitoring brain activity and eye movement.
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Actigraphy: This test assists in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. The child wears a watch-like device that tracks sleep and wake patterns.
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Blood Test: This can identify iron deficiencies, which are associated with periodic limb movement disorder and restless legs syndrome.
What Precautions Should Be Taken to Prevent Sleep Problems in Children?
Here are some simple ways to help children sleep better:
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Establish a regular bedtime routine so children sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
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Ensure the room is dark, quiet, and cool for sleeping.
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Keep electronic devices out of the bedroom.
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Limit caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening, for younger children and teenagers.
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Encourage physical activity earlier in the day to establish normal sleep-wake patterns.
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Avoid using the room for time-outs or punishment.
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Reduce or eliminate daytime naps to encourage earlier bedtime.
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Use calming music or devices to ease any nighttime fears children may have.
These habits can help prevent sleep problems, even in children with medical conditions that affect sleep.
What Should Parents Do to Improve Their Child's Sleep?
Parents play a very important role in improving the health of a child. For example, if a child is facing difficulty while sleeping, the following are the few tips parents can follow to improve their child's sleep.
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Parents should try to relax their child before sleeping, such as by having a warm bath, reading quietly, and dimming the light.
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Parents should always try to set a sleep time routine.
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Parents should try to spend time with their children before the child falls asleep.
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Parents can consider rewarding children for waking up early and going to bed at a preferred time.
How Are Pediatric Sleep Disorders Managed?
Childhood sleep disorders can disrupt family dynamics and lead to cognitive and behavioral issues. Early recognition and effective management are key to preventing these complications. Below are various strategies and treatments for different types of childhood sleep problems:
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Behavioral Insomnia: Behavior subtypes of childhood insomnia affect 10 to 30 percent of children and often stem from inconsistent parental limit-setting and improper sleep-onset associations. Treatment involves the use of extinction techniques and parent education to establish healthy sleep habits. Hypnotic medications are not recommended for this type of insomnia.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA affects one to five percent of children and requires polysomnography for diagnosis; history and physical examination alone may not be sufficient.
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Adenotonsillectomy is the primary treatment for OSA in children, addressing enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
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Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the secondary treatment for children who do not respond to surgery or if surgery is not an option.
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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): RLS can be challenging to recognize and is associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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Management includes addressing, if present, iron deficiency and identifying and eliminating triggering factors.
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Parasomnias: Parasomnias, which affect up to 50 percent of children, often resolve independently by adolescence. Treatment involves parental education, reassurance, safety precautions, and addressing underlying conditions.
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Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS): DSPS typically emerges during adolescence and is characterized by a preference for staying up late (night owl). Treatment includes promoting good sleep hygiene, using nighttime melatonin supplements, and exposure to morning bright light.
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Sleep Deprivation: Sleep deprivation is a growing concern, affecting 68 percent of high school students. Addressing sleep deprivation includes prioritizing sleep hygiene and implementing healthy sleep habits.
Conclusion
The sleeping disorder makes the child feel restless and drained. Therefore, it is essential to find out the causes of these problems and treat them. Parents should observe the child and try to understand the root cause. Parents should make their children comfortable while talking to them. Parents should consider seeing a doctor if the attempts to improve a child's sleep are not working. Pediatricians can diagnose the underlying medical issues, treat them, and plan to improve sleep implementation at home.
