Sleep Disorders In Children: Tests And Treatments
Sleep is important for the physical and mental health of both children and adults. However, sleep is even more important for children. Unfortunately, it is estimated that up to 30% of children currently suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep disorders in children are therefore very common.
Studies show that 50% of children have some difficulty sleeping. Often, these problems are not diagnosed as a sleep disorder because parents attribute to them inappropriate behavior of some kind.
However, it is true that not sleeping well affects a child’s behavior and learning ability and also reduces their concentration and memory. Too little sleep can also affect their motor behavior, as well as making them more irritable and damaging their self-esteem.
Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in children as soon as possible. Learn more about them in this article.
Also read: Tips to Avoid Sleep Disorders in Teens
What are sleep disorders in children?
Sleep disorders in children include all sleep-related problems in children. They include, among others:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty sleeping
- Being too sleepy
- Sleeps at inappropriate times
- To do something abnormal during sleep
Strictly speaking, professionals refer to sleep disorders in children when the following circumstances occur:
- Sleep disorders that significantly affect a child’s daily performance
- Sleep disorders that cause problems in their family, school and social conditions
It is normal for a child’s regular sleep pattern to change after an unusual event. For example, a loss, a family conflict, etc. However, they soon return to normal. If the child does not return to normal, they suffer from a sleep disorder.
Types of sleep disorders in children
The most important sleep disorders in children are classified as follows:
Dyssomnias that include:
- Narcolepsy
- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD Periodic Limb Movement Disorder)
- Environmental sleep disorder
- Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS)
- Limitation of sleep disorder
- Disturbance associated with sleep
Parasomnias that include:
- Confusion
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep horror
- Rhythmic Motion Disorder (RMD)
- Talk in your sleep
- Nightmares
Other parasomnias
- The toothpick
- Bed wetting
- Sleep myoclonus (sudden muscle contractions)
- Primary snoring
- Infant apnea
- Cot death
Diagnostic tests of sleep disorders in children
Parents may suspect the presence of a sleep disorder when their child has trouble sleeping, snoring, or wheezing while sleeping. Also when their sleep is restless, they urinate in bed or are often drowsy.
The information provided by the parents is important for the diagnosis, which is originally based only on this information. However, your doctor may request some tests, such as:
- Polysomnography. The most comprehensive test for diagnosing sleep disorders in children. It monitors activity in the brain, heart, respiratory system and muscles while a child sleeps.
- Sleep polygraph. This is a method that monitors the baby’s sleep at home.
- Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring. This test is used for infants with episodes of apnea or intermittent breathing. It monitors heart rate and breathing.
Doctors may also request a full blood count in case of excessive sleepiness and irritability. This can rule out or confirm the presence of anemia, parasites and thyroid problems.
Also read: Did you know that there are different types of insomnia?
Treatment
Treatment of these problems depends on the cause. It is therefore always advisable to consult your pediatrician so that they can decide on an appropriate treatment plan. First of all, it is recommended to ensure the child’s proper sleep hygiene.
You should also know that sleep needs vary depending on age:
- Between 0 and 3 months, it is common for the baby to sleep 16 hours.
- Between 3 and 12 months, 15 hours
- 12 months to 2 years, 14 hours.
- 2 to 5 years, 13 hours.
- Aged 5 to 9, 10 hours.
- Age 9 to 14, 9 hours.
- Age 14 to 18, 8 hours.
From a behavioral point of view, the Ferber method, also known as Goodnight and Sleep Well, is one of the most commonly used treatments for correcting sleep disorders in children. It is a very effective treatment used for infants.
Basically, it consists of creating a series of routines for sleep-training a baby. In Denmark, this method has been VERY discussed over the years.
If the parents suspect that the problem has a physical origin, they should consult a specialist.
