Pediatric Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders in children and adolescents are common; even infants
may have sleep disorders. Studies have shown that poor sleep quality
and/or quantity in children are associated with a host of problems,
including academic, behavioral, developmental and social difficulties,
weight abnormalities, and other health problems. Not only do pediatric
sleep problems affect child health, but they can impact family
dynamics and parental or sibling sleep. Children may suffer from
problems falling or staying asleep; physiological problems such as
obstructive sleep apnea abnormal or disruptive behaviors during sleep
such as sleepwalking or other parasomnias symptoms that occur near
sleep onset such as restless legs syndrome, and daytime symptoms such
as excessive sleepiness, cataplexy
and others. While adults may suffer from the same problems, the
etiology, presentation, and associated findings in children may be
very different than those seen in adults. In addition, developmental
aspects of childhood play an important role in pediatric sleep, such
as in the cases of early childhood insomnias and adolescent delayed
sleep phase syndrome.
Treating pediatric sleep disorders
The Stanford Sleep Medicine Center was the first clinic to treat
sleep disorders in children. We quickly realized that treating
pediatric sleep disorders starts with setting expectations regarding
normal pediatric sleep. Behavior modification plans may address some
sleep issues. In addition to board-certified pediatric and adult sleep
physicians with expertise in pediatric sleep disorders, the Stanford
Sleep Clinic has team of behavioral psychologists certified in the
treatment of sleep disorders who have expertise in working with
children and their families. Using scheduled awakenings, positive
reinforcement, and other techniques may be helpful in some cases of
sleep disorders. In other cases, your doctor may recommend medications
or supplements to treat a specific sleep disorder or underlying
condition. Finally, in some cases, evaluation for specific
interventions by a specialist in allergy, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
surgery, orthodontics, or other specialties may be recommended. In the
case of obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure
may be recommended.