The most common sleep disorders in children

Sleep disorders can occur even in childhood and have a significant impact on a child's health and development. Sleep expert and pediatrician Dr. Alfred Wiater explains the most common sleep disorders in children and what parents can do to support their children's sleep.

Table of contents

1. When children can't sleep
2. The most common sleep disorders in children
3. Conclusion

1. When children can't sleep

Sleep plays a central role in our lives and is especially important during childhood, when we are in the crucial stages of human development and growth. However, restful and restful sleep often presents a major challenge not only for us adults, but especially for children. This makes it all the more important to support children in developing healthy sleep habits and getting enough sleep in their hectic everyday lives. Persistent sleep problems can develop into serious sleep disorders even at a young age and impair a child's healthy development.

Which sleep disorders occur most frequently in children and how parents can actively combat them, explains pediatrician, sleep medicine specialist and smartsleep® Expert Dr. Alfred Wiater.

Good to know: In this post you can read what distinguishes sleep in childhood and adulthood and here Here you will find helpful tips to support your child’s healthy sleep.

2. The most common sleep disorders in children

#1 Chronic Insomnia

Chronic insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in both children and adults. Insomnia is a non-organic sleep disorder that affects falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up too early, leading to a lack of energy during the day. Chronic insomnia is defined as problems that occur at least three times a week for a period of one to three months. Approximately 20% to 30% of children, and consequently their parents, are affected.

Insomnia in children can manifest itself as significant resistance to going to bed, repeatedly putting off falling asleep, and repeatedly waking up and crying during the night. Children up to the age of 5 are particularly affected. In older children and adolescents, insomnia is often caused by fears and worries that prevent them from falling asleep and cause them to wake up repeatedly.

First aid: Insomnia in children can be a challenge for the entire family – but there are effective treatment options! A consistent bedtime routine and calming bedtime rituals are usually the first steps that can stabilize sleep patterns and improve well-being for both the child and their parents.

#2 Obstructive sleep apnea

At the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), also known as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, This is a breathing-related sleep disorder that affects approximately 5% of children. It is characterized by repeated, sudden constriction or closure of the upper airways during sleep, repeatedly interrupting the oxygen supply. Most affected children therefore exhibit pauses in breathing and snoring at night. The children do not sleep restfully and often exhibit symptoms during the day as well.In contrast to adults who suffer from OSA, the main symptom is not daytime sleepiness, but restless, hyperactive behavior with limited concentration and stamina.

The most common cause of OSA in children is enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Obesity promotes obstructive sleep apnea, as does an anatomically determined narrowing of the upper airway, such as a receding chin, which causes the tongue to move backward during sleep and constrict the airway. However, not all children who snore have obstructive sleep apnea. Nevertheless, habitual snoring can also disrupt sleep and thus affect children during the day. If in doubt, a sleep laboratory study can help.

First aid: For enlarged pharyngeal and palatine tonsils, tonsillectomy can help many children. If this is not the cause of OSA, early orthodontic treatment and myofunctional support (i.e., therapy to improve muscle function) can be helpful. Mechanical respiratory support during sleep, which is often used in adults, is rarely necessary in children.

#3 Sleepwalking

At the Sleepwalking (somnambulism) This leads to sudden rising from bed and associated unusual behavior. Those affected are restless, aloof, and/or aggressive, and often perform non-targeted, absurd actions. They are disoriented and react confusedly to verbal communication. They are highly insensitive to pain, so self-harm may also occur.

The highest incidence of sleepwalking occurs at 13.4% at age 10. The risk of developing sleepwalking is significantly increased if one or both parents of the affected child also sleepwalk. In the majority of affected children, the disorder resolves spontaneously by adolescence. Sleep deprivation, psychological stress, and even fever are considered factors that can trigger or exacerbate the onset of the disorder.

The main risk of somnambulism is self-harm. Those affected can fall down the stairs while sleepwalking, open a window and jump out, or run into the street. Thus, there is no such thing as the proverbial safety of sleepwalking. Attention: Waking up during sleepwalking can provoke aggressive behavior and, in particular, leads to unnecessary interruption and disturbance of sleep.

First aid: Drug therapy is generally not used for sleepwalking in children and adolescents. The focus is on comprehensive counseling regarding the classification of symptoms as a developmental phenomenon that typically subsides with age. However, it is strongly recommended to ensure that the sleeping environment, both at home and in unfamiliar surroundings, is safe to prevent injuries during sleepwalking.

#4 Night terrors

Night terrors (pavor nocturnus) occur most frequently in early childhood and are typically accompanied by shrill screaming and fearful behavior, accompanied by significant agitation. The child usually sits in bed and resists all attempts to calm them. Night terrors typically occur during deep sleep and may be followed by sleepwalking. The children usually have no recollection of the waking episode the next day.

At around 34%, children aged 1.5 years are most commonly affected. One-third of children who experienced night terrors in early childhood developed sleepwalking in later childhood.The occurrence of night terrors can therefore be deduced from the family history of sleepwalking.

First aid: Unfortunately, there are no direct treatment options. The best thing you can do is to calm your child down while the symptoms are present. To clearly identify the problem, it's also helpful to take a video of the incident and have it reviewed by a pediatrician.

#5 Nightmares in children

Nightmares are characterized by recurring, mood-altering dreams with threatening content that are also remembered. Unlike night terrors, nightmares usually only occur during REM sleep in the early morning hours. Upon awakening from a nightmare, those affected are quickly reoriented. The incidence of nightmares in children is highest between the ages of 6 and 10. Almost all children and adolescents have experienced nightmares at some point, but about 5% of them experience them once a week or more often.

For nightmare diagnosis, the descriptions of the parents or partners and the children themselves are crucial. It should be noted that dreams are only considered memorable from the age of 3 onwards, and reliable assessment is only possible from this age onwards.

First aid: In the acute situation after waking up from a nightmare, children should briefly recount the dream content and then, after a brief calming period, be able to fall asleep again. Depending on the severity and content of the dream, psychotherapeutic support may be recommended.

#6 Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) describes an unpleasant urge to move the legs, and rarely the arms. It occurs exclusively or predominantly during rest and relaxation, especially in the evening and the first half of the night. Usually, but not necessarily, other symptoms such as tingling, pulling, tearing, stabbing, pressure, painful sensations, or other unpleasant sensations that the patient cannot describe in detail are associated with it. The symptoms occur bilaterally, with an alternation in the severity of the symptoms. Moving the legs or changing position in bed can somewhat reduce the symptoms. Often, however, those affected prefer to get up and walk around, as this can typically stop or significantly alleviate the symptoms. RLS runs in families but is relatively rare in childhood, affecting about 2–4% of cases.

The most common triggering factors include iron deficiency with low storage iron (ferritin) levels.

First aid: First, iron status should be assessed. Iron deficiency and even slightly low ferritin levels, which can be potential triggers of RLS, can be easily treated with additional iron supplementation.

3. Conclusion

• Children are also affected by serious sleep disorders, although sleep is particularly important for physical and mental health and development, especially at a young age.

• The most common sleep disorders in childhood are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleepwalking, night terrors, nightmares and restless leg syndrome (RLS).

• Parents can specifically support their children's sleep by acquiring knowledge about the special characteristics of children's sleep and, if necessary, seeking medical or therapeutic help.

Best regards and see you next time!