Sleep Disorders in Childhood.

OBJECTIVE

This article provides a comprehensive review of pediatric sleep disorders including the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia, parasomnias, restless sleep disorder, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy in childhood, and Kleine-Levin syndrome.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Our understanding of pediatric sleep pathophysiology continues to evolve, and diagnostic and treatment modalities have expanded. A low-sodium oxybate formulation was approved in July 2020 in the United States to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness in patients 7 years old and older with narcolepsy. A validated pediatric hypersomnolence survey for pediatric narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia with high sensitivity, specificity, and interrater reliability is now available.

ESSENTIAL POINTS

The clinical presentation, diagnostics, and treatment of children with sleep disorders differ from those of adults. Untreated sleep disorders in childhood can lead to adverse physical and psychological consequences in adults. Correctly diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in youth can prevent a significant burden of disease in adulthood.