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Sleepiness in children and adolescents: clinical implications
Gahan Fallone1, Judith A Owens, Jennifer Deane
1Chronobiology and Sleep Research Laboratory, E.P. Bradley Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, USA. gahan_fallone@brown.edu
Insights
Excessive sleepiness in children and adolescents is a growing concern impacting behavior and performance. More research is needed to understand its effects and develop effective interventions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Excessive sleepiness in children and adolescents is a significant societal issue.
- Sleepiness impacts waking function assessments in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Define and discuss excessive sleepiness in pediatric groups.
- Review evidence on sleepiness effects on behavior, mood, and performance.
- Identify research gaps and methodological concerns.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical evidence.
- Classification of findings regarding sleepiness and impairment.
- Discussion of clinical and experimental research needs.
Main Results:
- Children and adolescents experience significant daytime sleepiness due to poor sleep.
- Existing data suggests impairment in behavioral, mood, and performance domains.
- Specifics of impairment, developmental differences, and risk factors require further study.
Conclusions:
- Children and adolescents are significantly affected by sleepiness from inadequate sleep.
- Further research is essential to understand and address pediatric sleepiness.
- Clinical screening for sleep problems and sleepiness is advised.
Abstract:
Over the past decade, excessive sleepiness among children and adolescents has been identified as a major societal concern. Professionals working with pediatric groups must increasingly factor sleepiness into assessments of waking function. We define and discuss excessive sleepiness in children and adolescents and review available evidence regarding effects on behavior, mood, and performance. Findings for daytime sleepiness and subsequent impairment in these domains are classified as robust to unknown. Empirical evidence clearly indicates that children and adolescents experience significant daytime sleepiness as a result of inadequate or disturbed sleep. The specific effect of sleepiness on functional domains in pediatric groups are less well-studied, but existing data suggests that children are likely to experience impairment in behavioral, mood, and performance domains. However, such variables as developmental differences in the type and degree of impairment, the degree of sleep disturbance required to produce impairments, and potential risk and protective factors for the effects of sleepiness in children have yet to be described. Further research is clearly warranted, and we discuss important questions and methodological concerns to encourage inquiry in both clinical and experimental settings. Advice is offered with regard to screening for sleep problems and associated sleepiness with children and adolescents.