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Common sleep disorders in children.

American family physician
January 1, 1970
Kevin A Carter et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of morning bright light therapy in managing delayed sleep phase disorder in adolescents.

Results Summary

The study suggests that bright light therapy, combined with good sleep hygiene and a consistent sleep-wake schedule, can help manage delayed sleep phase disorder in adolescents. No specific efficacy metrics or statistical results were provided in the abstract.

Population

Adolescents with delayed sleep phase disorder.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Adenotonsillectomy
decrease
obstructive sleep apnea
most children
-
is the primary treatment
#1
Parental reassurance and proper safety measures
decrease
parasomnias
children
-
is the best management
#2
Consistent implementation of good sleep hygiene practices
decrease
behavioral insomnia of childhood
children
-
management begins with
#3
Extinction techniques
decrease
behavioral insomnia of childhood
some cases
-
may be appropriate
#4
Good sleep hygiene and a consistent sleep-wake schedule
decrease
delayed sleep phase disorder
adolescence
-
treatment involves
#5
Nighttime melatonin
decrease
delayed sleep phase disorder
adolescence
-
as needed
#6
Morning bright light therapy
decrease
delayed sleep phase disorder
adolescence
-
as needed
#7
Trigger avoidance
decrease
restless legs syndrome
children
-
management focuses on
#8
Treatment of iron deficiency
decrease
restless legs syndrome
children
-
management focuses on
#9
Abstract

Up to 50% of children will experience a sleep problem. Early identification of sleep problems may prevent negative consequences, such as daytime sleepiness, irritability, behavioral problems, learning difficulties, motor vehicle crashes in teenagers, and poor academic performance. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs in 1% to 5% of children. Polysomnography is needed to diagnose the condition because it may not be detected through history and physical examination alone. Adenotonsillectomy is the primary treatment for most children with obstructive sleep apnea. Parasomnias are common in childhood; sleepwalking, sleep talking, confusional arousals, and sleep terrors tend to occur in the first half of the night, whereas nightmares are more common in the second half of the night. Only 4% of parasomnias will persist past adolescence; thus, the best management is parental reassurance and proper safety measures. Behavioral insomnia of childhood is common and is characterized by a learned inability to fall and/or stay asleep. Management begins with consistent implementation of good sleep hygiene practices, and, in some cases, use of extinction techniques may be appropriate. Delayed sleep phase disorder is most common in adolescence, presenting as difficulty falling asleep and awakening at socially acceptable times. Treatment involves good sleep hygiene and a consistent sleep-wake schedule, with nighttime melatonin and/or morning bright light therapy as needed. Diagnosing restless legs syndrome in children can be difficult; management focuses on trigger avoidance and treatment of iron deficiency, if present.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ChildCognitive Behavioral TherapyGlobal HealthHumansIncidencePolysomnographySleep Wake Disorders
Study Links
PubMed ID24695508
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality60/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations87
Citations/Year7.9
Relative Citation Ratio4.51
NIH Percentile91.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.64
Normalized Score0.60
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