Pediatric Sleep DIsorders

Sometimes kids have trouble sleeping beyond the occasional nightmare or restlessness. Sometimes children wake up at night because of sleep disorders. What are some of the pediatric sleep disorders?

There are two main categories of pediatric sleep disorders. Dyssomnias are disorders concerning problems falling asleep or staying asleep and involve waking and sleeping patterns. Parasomnias are sleep disorders that disrupt sleep and mostly involve behaviors that occur while awake.

Dyssomnias
Dyssomnias can be intrinsic, extrinsic or involve circadian rhythms. Pediatric sleep disorders are most often intrinsic, or developed within the body. The most common are hypersomnia, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. Delayed sleep phase syndrome, which is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, is also seen frequently in children.

Hypersomnia. Children with hypersomnia have regular sleep patterns, they just seem to need more sleep. Although it may be outgrown, the need for extra sleep can last throughout a child's life.

Narcolepsy. In narcolepsy, rapid eye movement sleep patterns happen unexpectedly during the day causing excessive sleepiness and often the inability to stay awake. This serious pediatric sleep disorder is very rare in children but can occur in teens.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Those with sleep apnea awaken frequently throughout the night and may not even know it. It is caused by obstructions in the upper airways and in children may be caused by enlarged tonsils or adenoids. Symptoms include snoring or gasping during sleep and excessive sleepiness.

Restless Leg Syndrome. Restless leg syndrome is an uncontrollable urge to move the leg to relieve discomfort. It happens most frequently when the child is lying down and relaxing and may make it hard for kids to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome. This pediatric sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm disorder that makes it hard for kids to fall asleep until very late at night. Then it is hard for them to wake up in the morning. This can usually be helped by slowly working a child to a normal bedtime schedule.

Parasomnias
Parasomnias mainly involve physical behaviors, but can also include nightmares. In addition to nightmares, The most common parasomnias seen in children include night terrors, sleepwalking/sleep talking, teeth grinding and bedwetting.

Nightmares. Nightmares usually occur during the rapid eye movement phase of sleep. The child can remember the dream and may have trouble falling back to sleep. Nightmares are usually caused by anxiety or some type of daytime stress in children.

Night Terrors. Night terrors are a partial awakening with sudden, intense fear. The child may scream and even run around during a night terror but is inconsolable. A child may seem to be awake during an episode but will most likely not remember the event. Episodes may last half an hour before the child can return to sleep and usually occur within the first couple of hours after falling asleep.

Sleepwalking/sleep talking. When kids walk or talk in their sleep, they may appear to be awake and may even have their eyes open. Besides for keeping the child safe from injury, it is recommended to keep parental intervention calm, soothing and at a minimum if the child is sleepwalking.

Teeth Grinding. Grinding of the teeth happens more frequently during the earlier stages of sleep. Children who grind their teeth at night often do so during the day as well. This can happen because of anxiety or dental problems.

Bedwetting. Bedwetting is a common pediatric sleep disorder that children usually outgrow. It can happen because of developmental delays or problems with the bladder or urethra. If a child has had dry nights for a while and returns to bedwetting it is most likely due to some emotional issues.

There are many more sleep disorders that can happen in children, but the above are some of the most common. Please seek the advice of a physician if you suspect your child may have a pediatric sleep disorder.

SOURCES:

Dennis A. Nutter, et al.; Sleep Disorder, Problems Associated with other Disorders; emdicine from WebMD

Peg Dawson, EdD, NCSP; Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Educators; NASP Resources