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Normal Sleep in Children and Adolescence

Alex Agostini1, Stephanie Centofanti2

  • 1Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|November 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Sufficient sleep is crucial for children and adolescents

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric sleep science
  • Adolescent health and development

Background:

  • Adequate sleep is vital for physical health, immune function, mental well-being, and academic success in youth.
  • Sleep patterns and regulation undergo significant transformations throughout childhood and adolescence.
  • Maturation introduces various factors influencing a young person's ability to achieve sufficient sleep.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe typical sleep patterns in children and adolescents.
  • To identify common obstacles to adequate sleep in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of normal sleep development.
  • Discussion of factors affecting sleep duration and quality.

Main Results:

  • Sleep architecture and regulation change significantly with age.
  • Barriers include early school start times, technology use, and pubertal shifts in circadian rhythms and sleep homeostasis.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding normal sleep and its disruptions is key for promoting healthy development.
  • Addressing barriers like early school times and technology use is essential for ensuring adequate sleep in youth.

Keywords:
AdolescentsBarriers to healthy sleepChildrenMental healthPhysical healthSleepTechnology

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