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Insomnia: Focus on Children

Montida Veeravigrom1, Weerasak Chonchaiya2

  • 1Section of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Biological Sciences, 5841 South Maryland Avenue Room C-526, MC 3055, Chicago, IL, USA.

Sleep Medicine Clinics
|February 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric insomnia is common, especially in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Behavioral interventions are the primary treatment, with cautious medication use considered if needed.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Pediatric insomnia is a prevalent issue in general pediatric settings.
  • Its occurrence is significantly higher among children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • Comprehensive evaluation is crucial for diagnosis and management planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the diagnostic approach for pediatric insomnia.
  • To emphasize the primary management strategies for pediatric insomnia.
  • To discuss the role of pharmacotherapy in pediatric insomnia treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Thorough evaluation of sleep history.
  • Utilization of sleep diaries.
  • Assessment of daytime symptoms and contributing factors.

Main Results:

  • Behavioral management is the recommended first-line treatment for pediatric insomnia.
  • No FDA-approved medications exist for pediatric insomnia.
  • Medications may be used cautiously in specific cases when benefits outweigh risks.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate diagnosis through detailed assessment is key.
  • Behavioral interventions should precede pharmacological approaches.
  • Judicious use of medication is considered for refractory pediatric insomnia.

Keywords:
AdolescenceBehavioral managementChildrenInsomniaNeurodevelopmental disorderSleep disturbance

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