[School physician and rhythms of schoolchildren's life]

The common occurrence of chronic fatigue among schoolchildren raises questions concerning sleep requirements and desirable daytime activity schedules in growing children. Several practical situations including inadequate sleep time, irregular sleeping hours, and lack of synchronization of activities and daytime biological periodicity are described. The inadequate attention given to these needs by families and society require widespread repeated diffusion of clear, short educational messages in order to improve the well-being of children.