Sleep disorders in children

Children are the most affected by sleeping disorders by conditions like insomnia, sleep apnea, night terrors, and sleepwalking. Symptoms can include difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, difficulty staying asleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness. These disorders can have adverse effects on a child's physical and emotional well-being, as well as their intellectual performance. Treatments vary depending on the specific condition and can include behavioural therapy, medication, and changes to the child's sleep environment. It's important to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect your child may have a sleep disorder.

Although up to 50% of all kids may have sleep issues, a significantly lower portion of kids are officially diagnosed with a sleep disorder.

Typical sleep issues in kids include:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Many children may snore when they have a cold or allergies, which is a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring often at night may indicate obstructive sleep apnea. It might be brought on by swollen tonsils and adenoids or a deviated nasal septum. Other characteristics that might exist include open-mouth breathing, nighttime perspiration, or erratic and broken sleep. You might notice spells of snoring followed by protracted periods of silence in certain kids.

Having trouble sleeping and staying asleep all night:

Most kids have problems sleeping through the night at some point. It's more serious if the issue develops into a pattern that only occurs at night or if it negatively affects your child throughout the day.

Nightmares: 

A child being terrified by a vivid dream is common. The frequency of nightmares is significantly less prevalent, though. When nightmares result in anxiety, distress, or difficulty falling asleep, they constitute a problem.

Sleepwalking:

Children frequently experience sleepwalking but by the time they reach adolescence, it usually subsides.

Bedwetting:

Young children who are under 5 frequently wet their bed but if your child is more than 5 years old and experiences episodes around twice a week, bedwetting can be considered a disorder that causes sleep disturbance. An emotional ordeal is what usually causes children to wet their beds.

Restless legs syndrome: 

When trying to fall asleep, children may raise concerns that they feel a tugging, itching, or tingly sensation in their legs. You might want to rub or massage their legs to help them sleep because they might not be able to express these symptoms. With exercise or stretching, restless legs syndrome symptoms typically get better.

Any sleep disturbance can affect your child's safety, school performance, mood, and alertness during the day.

The positive news is that the detrimental impacts of a sleep problem on growth, health, mood, and performance can be avoided or reduced with treatment.

https://sleepeducation.org/sleep-disorders-in-children/