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Developmental features of sleep
J A Mindell1, J A Owens, M A Carskadon
1Department of Psychology, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Sleep disorders affect 20-25% of children and adolescents, often linked to other health issues. Further research is crucial for understanding and treating pediatric sleep disturbances effectively.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- Sleep disorders are prevalent in 20-25% of pediatric populations.
- Sleep disturbances can be comorbid with medical or psychiatric conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the prevalence of sleep disorders in children and adolescents.
- To emphasize the need for further research into pediatric sleep disturbances.
- To underscore the importance of clinical awareness and knowledge regarding sleep issues in youth.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current knowledge on pediatric sleep disorders.
- Analysis of the relationship between sleep disturbances and other health conditions.
- Identification of research gaps in understanding age-specific presentations and treatment efficacy.
Main Results:
- Sleep disorders represent a significant health concern for 20-25% of children and adolescents.
- Sleep disturbances are frequently associated with underlying medical and psychiatric comorbidities.
- Current understanding of pediatric sleep disorders is limited, necessitating further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric sleep disorders are common and often linked to other health problems.
- Increased clinical awareness and knowledge of sleep and sleep disorders are essential for healthcare professionals.
- Further research is required to address age-specific differences, optimize treatments, and understand the impact of sleep disturbances on functioning.
Abstract:
In sum, sleep disorders are common problems for children and adolescents, with estimates indicating that approximately 20% to 25% of the pediatric population experiences some type of sleep disturbance. Furthermore, clinicians should be aware that sleep disturbances may not only exist in isolation, but can be related to psychiatric or medical issues. Although much appears to be known about sleep disorders in the pediatric population, our knowledge of this area is still in its infancy. Additional research is still needed to investigate differences in clinical presentation of specific sleep disturbances among different age groups (i.e., children, adolescents, adults, and elderly), to develop the most appropriate treatments for given populations, and to study the effects of sleep disturbances on functioning. Given the prevalence of these problems in the child and adolescent population and its likely impact on cognitive and behavioral functioning, health professionals need to become increasingly aware of and knowledgeable about sleep and sleep disorders. We all spend about one third of our lives sleeping, or trying to sleep; thus, we should understand as much as we can about it.