Pediatric Sleep Disorders

Pediatric Sleep Study

Children suffer from sleep disorders, too.

Daytime behaviors can be a telltale sign that a child has a sleep disorder. Problems behaving at school, learning, hyperactivity and daytime sleepiness could be signs that a child suffers from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder.

Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Disorders

  • Snoring, labored breathing, gasping for air and sleeping in unusual positions 
  • Falling asleep or excessive daydreaming 
  • Daytime fatigue 
  • Hyperactivity 
  • Excessive sweating during sleep 
  • School or other behavioral problems 
  • Restless sleep
  • Difficult to wake up 
  • Morning headaches 
  • Irritable, aggressive or cranky 
  • Bed-wetting in school-aged children

 

Should I worry if my child snores? 

About 20% of children occasionally snore, and up to 10% snore nightly. Children who snore face TWICE as much risk of being inattentive and hyperactive during the day.

Sleep apnea is present in up to 3% of school-aged children, peaking in children between the ages of 2 and 5 years.

 

ADHD and Sleep Apnea 

ADHD affects up to 12% of school-aged children. Sometimes, sleep disturbances act as imitators of ADHD. Research suggests that ADHD and sleep apnea are related, so a sleep study should be done to determine which condition affects the child.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Disorders in Teens 

  • Snoring, labored breathing and/or gasping for air 
  • Emotional and behavioral problems 
  • Habitual napping 
  • Struggling to stay awake while reading, watching TV, and-or attending class

Do you think your child may have a sleep disorder? Keep a journal.

  • How many hours did he/she sleep?
  • How many times did he/she wake? 
  • Did you hear your son/daughter snore or stop breathing?

Contact your doctor to ask about a sleep study if your child exhibits the symptoms & signs.

 

Think your child has sleep apnea? Take a test.

 

Pediatric Sleep Assessment: 

 



While sleeping does your child: 

 Yes No Unknown

Snore more than half of the time? 		      

Always snore? 		      

Have “heavy” or loud breathing? 		      

Stopped breathing at night? 		      



Does your child: 

 Yes No Unknown 

Tend to breathe through the mouth during the day? 		      

Have a dry mouth on waking up in the morning? 		      

Occasionally wet the bed?		      

Wake up feeling refreshed in the morning? 		      

Have a problem with sleepiness during the day? 		      

Has a teacher or other supervisor commented that your child appears
sleepy during the day? 		      

Is it hard to wake up your child in the morning? 		      

Does your child wake up with headaches in the morning? 		      

Did your child stop growing at a normal rate at any time since
birth? 		      

Is your child overweight? 		      



Your child often: 

 Yes  No Unknown 

Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.		      

Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.		      

Is easily distracted by external stimuli?  		      

Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat? 		      

Is “on the go”? 		      

Is “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor” 		      

Interrupts or intrudes on others? 		      

                **If your child scores 8 or more on the sleep questionnaire you should discuss results with your pediatrician. 

 Check out this link: Medicinenet.com/sleep_and_sleep_disorders_in_children_and_teens/article.htm 


As many as 45% of Down-Syndrome children have OSA.

Sleep Study Services
Contact Us