Sleepiness in Children: An Update

Abstract

Sleep is essential for children's learning, memory processes, school performance, and general well-being. The prevalence of sleepiness in children is approximately 4%. Reductions of sleep duration have daytime consequences, including sleepiness, behavior problems, cognitive deficits, poor school performance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Chronic pain, movement disorders, and sleep-disordered breathing also may lead to daytime somnolence, inattention, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviors, and mood dysregulation. Parent-report questionnaires are useful tools to assess subjective sleepiness in children. Sleepiness in children may be secondary to a sleep problem, such as narcolepsy, central hypersomnia, Kleine-Levin disease, or circadian rhythm disorder.

Keywords: Children; Daytime somnolence; Narcolepsy; Obstructive sleep apnea; Sleep deprivation; Sleepiness.