Assessment and treatment of pediatric behavioral sleep disorders in Canada

Abstract

Objectives/background: This paper outlines the current state of Canadian training, clinical services, research, and advocacy initiatives related to non-respiratory sleep disorders, with a specific focus on insomnia, the most common sleep problem in children.

Methods: Information for this narrative review was collected from peer-reviewed publications, web-resources, and personal communications and experiences.

Results: It is estimated that approximately one-third of Canadian children and youth present with insomnia, and that this is impacting their physical and mental health, as well as learning in school. Training in pediatric sleep is limited and highly inconsistent within and across disciplines. While there are some publicly and privately funded pediatric sleep services available, these are mostly focused on respiratory sleep problems and are not equally accessible across the country.

Conclusions: Pediatric assessment and treatment services for non-respiratory sleep disorders needs to be more integrated into the Canadian health care system.

Keywords: Canada; Children; Insomnia; Non-respiratory sleep problems; Sleep services; Training.