What Are Symptoms of Pediatric Sleep Disorders?

Sometimes it can take kids a little while to settle down before bed, but if it seems like a child is having a lot of trouble, it could be a sleep disorder. Many children have occasional nights of restlessness or poor sleep; this is normal and is not cause for concern. However, if these behaviors continue over several nights, it may signal an underlying cause. Symptoms of pediatric sleep disorders include:

– Snoring
– Teeth grinding
– Mouth breathing
– Restlessness during sleep
– Sleeping in odd positions
– Periods of not breathing
– Night terrors
– Recurrent ear infections
– Night sweats
– Mood changes
– Poor concentration
– Bedwetting
– Headaches
– Frequent infections
– Problems in school
– Disruptive behavior

A doctor who specializes in sleep is called a sleep specialist. Sleep specialists are trained in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and more. They may have backgrounds in various fields such as pulmonary medicine, neurology, psychiatry, or internal medicine, but they have advanced training specifically focused on sleep medicine. Sleep specialists assess a patient’s sleep patterns, medical history, and symptoms to determine the underlying causes of sleep issues.

They may conduct sleep studies, recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe medications, or suggest treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea. If you’re experiencing ongoing sleep difficulties or your child is showing signs of sleep disorders, visiting a sleep specialist is a crucial step toward understanding and improving your sleep quality. Sleep specialists work to help patients achieve better, more restful sleep, enhancing their overall health and well-being.

Five types of pediatric sleep disorders include:

– Sleep Apnea — Approximately four percent of children between the ages of 2 and 8 have sleep apnea. There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which is the most common type and occurs when the upper airway gets blocked, and Central Sleep Apnea, a neurological condition where the brain stops signaling breathing during sleep.

– Parasomnias — Parasomnias are undesirable or abnormal movements during sleep-wake transitions, such as sleepwalking (somnambulism) or sleep talking (somniloquy). Other common types of parasomnia include nightmares, confused arousal, and sleep terrors or night terrors.

– Childhood Insomnia — Childhood insomnia is typically diagnosed when a child has trouble falling or staying asleep and wakes up too early. It may be due to poor sleeping habits, stress, or anxiety, but is also associated with certain behavioral disorders, like autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as mental health problems, like anxiety and depression.

– Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome — Delayed sleep phase syndrome is a chronic disorder common in teens and is characterized by going to sleep two or more hours after the normal sleep time. It affects their body clock and makes it difficult to wake up the next day, leading to an undesirable sleep cycle that is difficult to break.

– Restless Leg Syndrome — Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move or kick the legs repeatedly when trying to sleep. Research has proven that RLS is linked with low levels of iron; if the iron deficiency is addressed, RLS is likely to improve or go away completely.

Sleep is one of the most important bodily functions; without it, our bodies would fail to work as they should. If a child does not get enough quality sleep each night, it can lead to a myriad of problems, including:

– Delayed development
– Impaired intelligence
– Dysfunction of the nervous system
– Memory loss and depression
– Weight gain and obesity

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in children; it can result in behavioral issues related to:

– Decreased performance and learning problems in school
– Hyperactivity
– Aggressiveness
– Social isolation, withdrawal

If your child is having problems sleeping due to sleep apnea or sleep-disordered breathing, the team at Koala® Center For Sleep & TMJ Disorders can work with their physician to help obtain a diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan.

Pediatric sleep disorders can affect your child’s behavior, mood, and overall health. Common symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking during the night, or excessive tiredness during the day. You may also notice irritability, poor concentration at school, or behavioral changes. Snoring, heavy breathing, or gasping for air while sleeping can be signs of sleep apnea. Additionally, conditions like sleepwalking, night terrors, or bedwetting are also common indicators of sleep disorders.

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from a pediatric sleep specialist. At Koala Center for Sleep Disorders, our team provides personalized care to diagnose and treat sleep issues, ensuring your child receives the restful sleep they need for healthy growth and development. Early intervention can help address underlying causes and improve your child’s overall well-being. For more information, contact us or visit us online to book an appointment. We have convenient locations across the U.S. in Bloomington IL, Peoria/Dunlap IL, El Paso TX, and Wausau WI.