Chapter 10 - Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Abstract

A child's sleep can significantly affect his or her daytime function. Sleep is one of the most important activities that children engage in and can significantly affect development throughout childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, sleep architecture and sleep requirements evolve substantially throughout the years from birth to adulthood. The objective of this chapter is to discuss pediatric sleep in detail in three sections starting with normal sleep behavior patterns at different stages of development beginning from the newborn period to 18years. The second section will address abnormal sleep patterns by addressing different pediatric sleep disorders that occur at different stages of development. This section clearly delineates how pediatric sleep disorders manifest differently at different stages of childhood and adolescence. A clear understanding of the specific differences in pediatric sleep disorders would play a key role in accurate and appropriate diagnoses. Finally, the third section addresses the intricate and complex interplay between psychiatric disorders and sleep disturbance in pediatric populations. It is clear that it can be a challenge to treat pediatric sleep disorders with an inadequately treated psychiatric disorder. It is also a significant challenge to optimally treat psychiatric disorders with a significant pediatric sleep disorder. The final section of this chapter discusses this multifaceted relationship between sleep and psychiatric disorders. Potential treatment options are also discussed briefly.