Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
04:33

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

1.8K

Insomnia symptoms, objective sleep duration and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in children

Julio Fernandez-Mendoza1, Alexandros N Vgontzas, Susan L Calhoun

  • 1Sleep Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychiatry, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.

European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|March 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood insomnia symptoms combined with short sleep duration are linked to increased cortisol levels, indicating physiological hyperarousal. This suggests a potential stress response in children experiencing sleep difficulties.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric sleep medicine
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Child psychology

Background:

  • Insomnia symptoms are common in children but their pathophysiology, including hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis involvement, is not well understood.
  • Investigating the link between childhood insomnia, sleep duration, and HPA axis activity is crucial for understanding underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between parent-reported insomnia symptoms, objective short sleep duration, and cortisol levels in school-aged children.
  • To explore the relationship between sleep disturbances and physiological stress markers in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized polysomnography to objectively measure sleep duration in 327 children (5-12 years).
  • Assayed evening and morning salivary cortisol levels to assess HPA axis activity.
  • Used the Pediatric Behavior Scale to identify parent-reported insomnia symptoms.

Main Results:

  • Children with insomnia symptoms and short sleep duration exhibited significantly higher evening and morning cortisol levels.
  • Insomnia symptoms without short sleep duration did not show elevated cortisol levels compared to controls.
  • Cortisol levels in children with insomnia and short sleep duration suggest a state of physiological hyperarousal.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood insomnia symptoms coupled with short sleep duration may be associated with 24-hour basal or responsive physiological hyperarousal.
  • Further research is warranted to investigate the links between insomnia, short sleep duration, and physical/mental health outcomes in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
Childrencortisolinsomnia symptomsobjective sleep duration

More Related Videos

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

10.8K
Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World10:16

Human Circadian Phenotyping and Diurnal Performance Testing in the Real World

Published on: April 7, 2020

9.6K

Related Concept Videos

Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
620
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
785
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
3.0K
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
1.4K
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
891
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
1.4K