Sommeil et santé mentale chez l’enfant et l’adolescent

Abstract

Sleep and mental health in children and adolescents are strongly intertwined, and their links are complex and multimodal. The development of sleep is an evolutionary process throughout neurodevelopment: it follows and optimizes the child’s brain maturation. The occurrence of sleep or sleep-wake rhythms disorders during this period should not be underestimated, given their impact on the physical and mental well-being of the youngest. From a transdiagnostic approach, sleep can be a biomarker of conversion of psychiatric disorders, and the efficient management of sleep disorders in children and adolescents has significant clinical benefits for outcome of child psychiatric disorders. In neurodevelopmental disorders in particular, sleep alterations are common and lead to a worsening of daytime symptoms while their treatment contributes to an alleviation of symptoms. In adolescents, particularly at risk of developing a delayed sleep-phase disorder and subsequent sleep deprivation, the occurrence of a sleep disturbance is associated with the risk of suicide attempt. All these considerations lead public authorities to pursue ambitious health policies to promote sleep in the best possible conditions from early childhood onwards.