What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are conditions that affect normal sleep patterns or sleep quality. There are many types of sleep disorders. They may affect when and how long a person sleeps. They may also affect breathing, movement, or behavior during sleep.
Sleep problems are common in children, especially during a serious illness. Children may feel sleepy during the day, have trouble falling asleep, or wake up at night.
Poor sleep can affect how your child feels, thinks, and acts. Some children may feel tired, irritable, or moody. Others may have trouble with focus, learning, memory, behavior, or keeping up with school or daily activities.
Sleep is important for your child’s health, growth, mood, and overall well‑being. Small changes to sleep habits and routines can improve sleep. A sleep problem does not always mean that your child has a sleep disorder. But some children may need treatment for a specific sleep disorder.
Learn Tips for Better Sleep
Symptoms of sleep disorders
Signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder depend on the type of disorder your child has. These may include:
- Trouble falling asleep, waking during the night, or waking too early
- Snoring, pauses in breathing, or unusual movements during sleep
- Feeling tired during the day
- Mood changes or irritability
- Trouble with focus, thinking, or memory
- Having problems keeping up at school or doing daily tasks
- Vivid dreams
- Having brief times when your child cannot move or speak while falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis)
- Sudden muscle weakness linked to strong emotions
- Sleeping at the wrong time
Common sleep disorders include insomnia, hypersomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome. Children and teens with certain medical conditions may have a higher risk of sleep disorders.
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, Hypersomnia, and Narcolepsy
Hypersomnia and narcolepsy are 2 sleep disorders that cause excessive daytime sleepiness. Hypersomnia causes your child to get very sleepy during the day, even after getting enough sleep. Narcolepsy is a disorder in which your child’s sleep-wake cycles are disrupted. Your child may suddenly fall asleep during daily activities and start dreaming quickly.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or sleep well. Chronic insomnia means that sleep problems last at least 3 nights a week for 3 months or more.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome causes a strong urge to move the legs, especially during rest or sleep. It can make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep. Children may feel itching, crawling, pulling, or aching in their legs.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. Breathing may stop and start many times through the night. Children with sleep apnea may snore, breathe heavily, be restless, or sweat at night.
Causes of sleep disorders
Many factors can cause sleep problems in children, especially during illness. Sleep problems may be linked to:
- Stress or worry
- Pain or discomfort
- Side effects of medicines or treatments
- Changes in routine
- Poor sleep habits, such as an inconsistent bedtime or excessive or overly stimulating screen time before bed
- Environmental factors, such as noise or light
- Stomach problems, such as acid reflux
- Asthma or other breathing problems
- Mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depression
- Diet or caffeine, including tea, coffee, and energy drinks
- Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
- Brain injury due to the effects of a tumor, stroke, surgery, radiation, or head trauma
- Hormone changes
- Other health conditions
Sleep disorders in children with illness
Changes in sleep habits and routines during illness can also lead to sleep problems. Children may wake up during the night for medicine, fever checks, or other care.
Over time, children can get used to these changes and have trouble going back to their usual sleep routine. Some children may not want to sleep alone. Stress, pain, noise, and worry can also make it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Sometimes, there is no clear cause for sleep disorders.
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
Your care team will work to find the cause of your child’s sleep problems. Sleep disorders may be related to illness, stress, medicine, or something else.
Diagnosis may include:
- Questions about sleep habits and symptoms
- Medical history and physical exam
- Review of medicines that may affect sleep
- Keeping a sleep diary to track sleep and daily habits
Some children may need more tests to learn more about their sleep and diagnose specific sleep disorders.
Sleep study (polysomnogram)
A sleep study (polysomnogram) is the most common test for sleep apnea. It is an overnight test that looks at how the body functions during sleep. It can check sleep quality and identify sleep problems.
The test usually takes place in a sleep lab, where trained staff watch your child while they sleep. Small sensors are gently placed on your child’s body to check breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and brain activity. Sometimes, the test is done at home using a portable sleep monitor.
Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
An MSLT measures sleep patterns during the day. It tests how long it takes your child to fall asleep. It also tests when your child enters REM sleep.
People with narcolepsy enter REM sleep more quickly and are more likely to enter REM sleep during daytime naps.
Actigraphy
Actigraphy tracks sleep and activity using a small device worn on the wrist or ankle. It helps the care team understand sleep and wake patterns over several days.
Treatment for sleep disorders
Treatment often starts with healthy sleep habits and bedtime routine changes. Small changes over time can make a big difference.
To help improve sleep:
- Create a quiet, dark, and comfortable sleep space.
- Keep a regular, calm bedtime routine.
- Know how much sleep your child needs. Teens and children with serious illness may need more sleep.
- Limit bright light and screen time before bed, especially games and apps that are engaging or stimulating.
- Make sure your child avoids caffeine and nicotine after 4 p.m. or within 6 hours of bedtime.
- Address stress or worry that may be affecting sleep.
- Encourage and praise healthy sleep habits.
- Make sure your child wakes up at the same time each morning.
- Help your child get sunlight during the day, especially in the morning.
- Encourage daily exercise and physical activity. Make sure your child avoids heavy exercise before bedtime.
Your care team may also recommend other treatments, such as:
- A CPAP machine or surgery for sleep apnea
- Melatonin or bright light therapy
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
- Medicines to help with sleep
- Treatment of underlying health conditions
Questions to ask your care team
