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Pediatric sleep and pain: etiologies, consequences, and clinical considerations

Erin E Morris1, Michael J Howell2, Elizabeth Pickup3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine : JCSM : Official Publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
|May 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Poor sleep in children increases pain risk, particularly in chronic conditions. Early life sleep and pain disruptions can affect neurodevelopment, highlighting the need for further research and improved pediatric sleep treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Pain Research
  • Neurodevelopmental Science

Background:

  • The interplay between sleep and pain is critical during childhood and adolescence.
  • Altered sleep patterns can have long-lasting effects on neurodevelopment.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective pediatric healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence on the relationship between sleep and pain in pediatric populations.
  • To identify gaps in research regarding pediatric sleep and pain.
  • To provide clinical considerations for managing sleep and pain in children.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted on PubMed from January 1, 1960, to March 1, 2020.
  • 149 articles relevant to pediatric pain and sleep were identified.
  • 97 articles, including those with over 3800 participants, were included in the review.

Main Results:

  • Poor sleep efficiency and nighttime awakenings are linked to an increased risk of pain in children, especially those with chronic diseases.
  • The impact of pain on sleep quality in pediatric populations is not yet well understood.
  • Early life sleep and pain alterations can affect neurodevelopment, evidenced by changes in sleep structure and brain development.

Conclusions:

  • The complex relationship between sleep and pain significantly impacts pediatric development.
  • Sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality demonstrably worsen pain experiences.
  • Further research is essential to understand sleep alterations in pediatric chronic pain and to develop effective sleep-improving treatments.
Abstract

Keywords:
neonatalneurodevelopmentpainpediatricsleep

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