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Sleep problems in children: a guide for primary care physicians

Bhavneet Bharti1, Ankit Mehta, Prahbhjot Malhi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatric Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. bhavneetb@yahoo.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|February 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Common childhood sleep problems affect 20-42% of children, encompassing issues with initiating/maintaining sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related behaviors. This review covers evaluation, including the BEARS screening tool, and management strategies for various age groups.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Sleep problems are prevalent in children, affecting 20-42% and causing concern for families and healthcare providers.
  • Common issues include difficulties initiating/maintaining sleep (dyssomnias), excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnias), and abnormal sleep behaviors (parasomnias).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review common sleep problems in children across different age groups.
  • To discuss evaluation methods, including the BEARS screening tool.
  • To outline management strategies for optimizing pediatric sleep outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive review of pediatric sleep literature.
  • Discussion of sleep problem categorization (dyssomnias, hypersomnias, parasomnias).
  • Explanation of the BEARS (Bedtime problems, Excessive daytime sleepiness, Awakenings, Regularity/duration, Snoring) screening tool.

Main Results:

  • Identifies key sleep issues prevalent in neonates, infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents.
  • Highlights the importance of detailed medical, developmental, and behavioral history in diagnosis.
  • Emphasizes the utility of the BEARS tool for initial sleep problem assessment.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of pediatric sleep problems requires accurate identification and age-appropriate strategies.
  • Early evaluation and intervention can significantly improve sleep quality and overall child well-being.
  • The BEARS tool provides a structured approach for primary care physicians to screen for common childhood sleep disorders.

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