Paediatric sleep disorders
123 important questions on Paediatric sleep disorders
What is the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)?
- High rates of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea
- Comorbidities often obscure sleep issues
- Significant impact on physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being
What are the core symptoms of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- Frequent lapses into sleep
- Cataplexy
- Sleep paralysis
- Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations
- Disrupted nocturnal sleep
How should treatment objectives be determined for children with sleep disorders and NDDs?
- Partnership with parents and child
- Consideration of multiple stakeholders
- Monitoring outcomes systematically
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What are sleep-related movement disorders in children and adolescents?
- Periodic limb movement disorders
- Restless legs syndrome
- Growing pains
- Restless sleep disorder
- Nocturnal leg cramps
- Rhythmic movement disorder
- Bruxism
- Benign sleep myoclonus
- Propriospinal myoclonus
How do the two types of narcolepsy differ?
1. Type 1 (NT1):
- Cataplexy present
- - Low CSF hypocretin-1 (hcrt-1) levels
- No cataplexy
- - Normal CSF hcrt-1 levels
What role do parent-directed behavioral interventions (BSIs) play in treating sleep disorders in NDDs?
- Effective strategies for healthy sleep behaviors
- Long-term benefits without adverse effects
- Flexibility in delivery methods (face-to-face, online, etc.)
What are the main characteristics of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias in children?
- Frequent benign occurrences
- Disorder of arousals, like sleepwalking, confusional arousals, and sleep terrors
- Typically resolve during adulthood
- Associated with familial occurrence and certain neurodevelopmental issues
What is the significance of recognizing sleep-related movement disorders in children?
- Diagnose accurately considering age-related features
- Understand polysomnographic and clinical specifics
- Address prevention and treatment strategies
- Provide parental support and guidance
What are the impacts of NT1 on overall functioning?
- Metabolic effects (e.g., weight gain)
- Endocrinological effects (e.g., precocious puberty)
- Psychiatric issues (e.g., mood disorders)
- Psychosocial effects (e.g., social stigma)
What challenges exist when measuring sleep in children with NDDs?
- Mobility issues and sensory sensitivities
- Limitations of traditional sleep diaries
- Need for careful planning in monitoring
What is the prevalence of insomnia in children and its potential impacts?
- Compromised quality of life
- Poor developmental outcomes
- Overweight
- Behavioral disturbances
Which children are more likely to experience disorder of arousals?
- Children with epilepsy
- Those with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
What are the clinical features of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)?
- Leg movements or jerks every 20-40 seconds during sleep
- Symptoms cause subjective sleep disturbance
- Movements may progress to flexion of the leg
- Significant night-to-night variability
Why is narcolepsy often misdiagnosed?
1. Multifaceted symptoms resembling:
- Laziness
- - ADHD
- - Neurological disorders
3. Long diagnostic delays impacting treatment
What pharmacological interventions are common for children with NDDs?
- Use of unlicensed or off-label medications
- Small and poorly controlled studies
- Broad similarities in choices compared to typically developing (TD) children
How should clinicians assess pediatric insomnia?
- Examination of sleep/wake schedules
- Behaviour during sleep
- Daytime effects of sleep issues
- Evaluation of sleep environment and bedtime routines
What are the diagnostic procedures recommended for disorder of arousals in children?
- Atypical cases
- Suspected sleep-disordered breathing
- Periodic limb movement disorder
How can periodic limb movements be documented?
- Overnight polysomnography (PSG)
- Actigraphy devices for additional data
- Assessment of inter-movement intervals
- Documentation of the periodicity index
What approaches are essential for NT1 diagnosis?
- Clinical assessment of symptoms
- Differential diagnosis:
- Neurological-muscular disorders
- - Epileptic disorders
- - Mood and psychotic disorders
What is the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs)?
- Comorbidities
- Diagnostic overshadowing
- Impact on physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being
- Considerable effects on caregivers
What are the main characteristics of chronic insomnia as per the ICSD-3?
- Difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality
- Occurrence despite adequate opportunity for sleep
- Resulting in daytime impairment
What is the significance of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder in children?
- Very rare in childhood
- Usually secondary to other disorders or medications
- Could indicate narcolepsy and hypocretin loss
What conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of PLMD?
- Nocturnal epileptic seizures
- Benign sleep myoclonus in infancy
- Sleep starts
- Sleep disorders like RLS and narcolepsy
- Neurological disorders such as ADHD
How should narcolepsy be treated?
- Pharmacological therapies
- Behavioral therapies
Why are sleep disorders often missed in children with NDDs?
- Limited communication skills
- Coexisting health needs
- Overlap of symptoms with other issues
- Challenges faced by families
What types of paediatric insomnia are identified in the ICSD-3?
- Sleep-onset association type: dependency on specific conditions to fall asleep
- Limit-setting type: lack of parental control at bedtime
- Combined type: mixed symptoms of both previous types
Which factors are associated with primary sleep enuresis in children?
- Strong familial occurrence
- Decreased nocturnal bladder storage
- Increased night urine production
- Difficulty waking up
What behavioral management strategies are suggested for PLMD?
- Educating parents and children about the disorder
- Establishing a regular sleep routine
- Encouraging regular exercise
- Avoiding caffeinated substances
What are the possible environmental triggers for NT1?
- H1N1 infection and vaccination
- Seasonal incidence fluctuations
- Elevated anti-streptococcal antibodies
What are the first-line interventions for sleep disorders in children with NDDs?
- Teaching healthy sleep behaviors
- Unlearning inappropriate sleep behaviors
- Prioritizing these over medication before treatment
What treatment approaches are recommended for managing insomnia in children?
- Starting with cognitive-behavioural approaches
- Considering medication at low doses if necessary
- Individualizing treatment based on severity and type of insomnia
- Incorporating sleep hygiene, behavioural strategies, and pharmacological treatment
What are the common forms of NREM parasomnias?
- Disorder of arousals (DOA)
- Confusional arousals
- Sleep terrors
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is mainly adult-related
What are the iron supplementation recommendations for children with PLMD?
- Young children: 3 mg/kg/day of elemental iron
- Older children: 325 mg ferrous sulfate + vitamin C
- Monitor ferritin and serum iron levels
What is the genetic association with NT1?
- DQB1*0602 haplotype
- Immune system-related loci identified in studies
- Elevated CSF hcrt-1 deficiency in most patients
What is the significance of setting realistic treatment targets for sleep disorders?
- Ensure proper monitoring
- Avoid unnecessary medication
- Address the child's and family's specific needs
- Improve overall management
What are the common descriptors parents use when discussing insomnia in children?
- Difficulty initiating sleep
- Difficulty maintaining sleep
- Night awakenings
- Resistance to a bedtime schedule
- Inability to sleep without parental intervention
How does genetic predisposition impact the occurrence of sleepwalking in children?
- High familial occurrence (40%) in sleepwalking
- Increased prevalence with stronger parental history
- Genetic ties to specific alleles and inheritance patterns
What characterizes restless legs syndrome (RLS) in children?
- Urge to move legs due to unpleasant sensations
- Symptoms worsen during rest or inactivity
- Relief with movement during activity
- Occurs mainly at night or evening
How does sleep impact children with NDDs?
- Physical health
- Cognitive functions
- Emotional well-being
- Overall quality of life
What are the key outcomes associated with chronic insomnia in children?
- Poor quality of life for children and families
- Developmental issues
- Overweight
- Behavioural disturbances
What precipitating factors can trigger disorders of arousals in children?
- Sleep deprivation
- Recovery sleep
- Internal/external stimuli
- Other sleep disorders like sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)
What are some examples of sleep-related movement disorders in children and adolescents?
- Periodic limb movement disorders
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Growing pains
- Restless sleep disorder
- Nocturnal leg cramps
- Rhythmic movement disorder
- Bruxism
- Benign sleep myoclonus in infancy
- Propriospinal myoclonus at sleep onset
What are the core symptoms of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Cataplexy
- Sleep paralysis
- Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations
- Disrupted nocturnal sleep
What are common sleep-related disorders in children with NDDs?
- Insomnia
- Circadian rhythm disorders
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
How should paediatric insomnia be assessed?
- Examining primary and secondary contributing factors
- Identifying maladaptive sleep behaviours
- Incorporating sleep questions in health assessments
What are the clinical characteristics of sleepwalking in children compared to adults?
- Adults often exhibit violent behavior
- Children display fewer self-injuries and less aggression
- Characteristics include confusion and lack of awareness
What are the typical features of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)?
- Periodic leg movements >5 per hour
- Jerking motions every 20-40 seconds
- Dorsiflexion of the big toe and ankle
- Occurs during sleep
- Causes subjective sleep disturbance
How is narcolepsy distinguished into types?
1. Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1):
- Cataplexy present
- - Low CSF hypocretin-1
- No cataplexy
- - Normal CSF hypocretin-1
What factors can contribute to sleep disorders in children with NDDs?
- Medical comorbidities (pain, reflux, etc.)
- Environmental factors
- Diagnostic overshadowing
- Communication barriers
What clinical tools are used for diagnosing insomnia in children?
- Clinical history
- Polysomnography is usually not indicated
- Actigraphy can give objective sleep estimates
What is the main characteristic of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias in children?
- More common in childhood
- Disappear in adulthood
- Include disorders of arousals (DOA)
- Associated with family occurrences
How is periodic limb movement disorder diagnosed?
- Documented movements through polysomnography
- Frequency of >5 leg movements per hour
- Significant sleep disturbance
- Exclusion of other disorders like RLS or sleep apnea
What is the prevalence of narcolepsy type 1?
- 30 per 100,000 people globally
- Varies significantly by region and ethnicity (e.g., 0.23 in Israel to 160 in Japan)
Why is evidence important in medication for sleep disorders in children with NDDs?
- Many medications used are unlicensed
- Lack of robust studies and controlled trials
- Need for safety in prescribing
- Understanding the benefits and risks
What approval status do sleep medications for paediatric insomnia have?
- No approved sleep medications by FDA or EMA for children
- Most are prescribed off-label
- Recent approval for prolonged-release melatonin for neurodevelopmental disabilities
Which childhood disorders are frequently associated with disorder of arousals?
- Epilepsy
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
What are common comorbidities associated with periodic limb movement disorder?
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Narcolepsy
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism
- Sickle cell disease
What common misdiagnoses occur in children with narcolepsy?
- Laziness
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Other neurological disorders due to symptoms like irritability and hypotonia
What is actiography and its significance in measuring sleep?
- Provides objective data
- Useful in "n of one" trials
- Measures patterns over extended periods
- Can be executed in the child’s natural environment
What are common treatments for paediatric insomnia?
- Sleep hygiene
- Behavioural strategies
- Pharmacological treatment
How is the diagnosis of disorder of arousals primarily established in children?
- Age of onset
- Frequency of episodes
- Daytime symptoms
- Family history
- Possible comorbidities
What factors may increase the risk of developing periodic limb movement disorder?
- Family history of restless legs syndrome
- Genetic variants (e.g., BTBD9, MEIS1)
- History of prematurity
- Age (more common in younger children)
What psychological impact can narcolepsy have on children?
- Behavioral disorders
- Mood disorders
- Psychosis
- Need for multidisciplinary management
What are some treatment options used to address sleep disorders in NDDs?
- Parent-directed behavioral interventions
- Environmental modifications
- Pharmacological treatments
- Combination approaches tailored to individual needs
What sleep issues are common in infants and toddlers?
- Night wakings (25%-50%)
- Bedtime resistance in 10%-15% of toddlers
- Difficulties falling asleep in preschoolers (15%-30%)
When is video-polysomnography recommended for children with disorder of arousals?
- Diagnosing atypical or potentially harmful parasomnias
- Differentiating from sleep-related epilepsy
- Suspecting sleep-disordered breathing or periodic limb movement disorder
What are the key polysomnographic findings for diagnosing PLMD?
- Index movements documented by overnight PSG
- Limb movements >8 microvolts in EMG
- Series of at least four consecutive movements
- Autonomic arousals may occur frequently
What factors are explored in the aetiology of narcolepsy type 1 (NT1)?
- Autoimmune processes
- Genetic predispositions
- Environmental triggers (e.g., infections, vaccinations)
What is the role of polysomnography (PSG) in assessing sleep disorders?
- Provides a comprehensive evaluation of sleep
- Helps diagnose disorders like OSA
- Is considered the gold standard for diagnostics
- Can be challenging for children with sensory issues
How has the ICSD-3 redefined insomnia categorization?
- A single chronic insomnia disorder
- Behavioral insomnia of childhood included
- Previous subtypes considered unreliable
What are common clinical manifestations of sleepwalking in children?
- Brief episodes of partial awakening
- Less violent behaviors compared to adults
- Less self-injuries reported
How does iron supplementation benefit children with PLMD?
- Reduces symptoms of PLMD
- Recommended dosage:
- - Young children: 3 mg/kg/day
- - Older children: 325 mg of ferrous sulfate + vitamin C
What role do human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types play in narcolepsy?
- Elevated risk for NT1
- DQB1*0602 haplotype found in >98% of patients with cataplexy
What determines the treatment goals for sleep interventions in NDDs?
- Sleep onset and continuity
- Total sleep time (TST)
- Child’s daytime behavior
- Input from caregivers
What is the definition of chronic insomnia according to ICSD-3?
- Persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, or quality
- Results in daytime impairment
- Occurs despite adequate opportunities for sleep
Which disorders frequently overlap with ADHD in children?
- Sleep-onset delays
- Bedtime resistance
- Night awakenings
- Specific sleep disorders like RLS or SDB
What are effective behavioral management strategies for PLMD?
- Educating parents and children about the disorder
- Establishing a regular sleep routine
- Encouraging regular exercise
- Avoiding caffeinated substances
- Reviewing medications
How does the H1N1 pandemic relate to narcolepsy incidence?
- Increased narcolepsy cases, especially in vaccinated individuals
- 4-13 fold risk due to Pandemrix® vaccination
What are parent-directed behavioral interventions (BSIs)?
- Equip parents with strategies
- Foster healthy sleep behaviors
- Address insomnia issues
- Flexibly delivered via multiple mediums
What secondary conditions can lead to narcolepsy?
- Brain tumors
- Head injuries
- CNS infections
- Autoimmune diseases
What characterizes the sleep-onset association type of insomnia?
- Need for specific objects or people to fall asleep
- Commonly multiple nocturnal awakenings
- Sleep onset is delayed without these conditions
What do studies indicate about the incidence of parasomnias in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
- Increased prevalence of sleep disorders
- Sleep problems reported by 86%
- Issues include insomnia and parasomnias
- Sleep affects social skills and cognitive performance
What distinguishes restless legs syndrome (RLS) from other movement disorders?
- Urge to move legs due to unpleasant sensations
- Symptoms worsen during rest or inactivity
- Temporary relief through active movement
- Symptoms occur predominantly at night
How do comorbidities affect sleep disorders in children with NDDs?
- Causing additional pain or discomfort
- Masking sleep issues due to primary health focus
- Influencing child behavior and responses
- Creating challenges for diagnosis
What are typical features of narcolepsy in children?
- Severe symptoms
- Behavioral and mood effects
- Metabolic and endocrinological disorders
Describe the limit-setting type of insomnia.
- Parents lose control during bedtime
- Children refuse to go to bed or stall
- Inadequate parental controls reinforce sleep problems
What is the genetic correlation found in sleepwalking among children?
- Higher occurrence in childhood-onset versus adult-onset
- Positive family history in about 40% of cases
- Genetic associations with specific HLA alleles
What are the diagnostic criteria for pediatric RLS according to the IRLS-SG?
- Urge to move legs
- Symptoms worsen during rest
- Relief through voluntary movement
- Sleep disturbances and distress caused by symptoms
What are environmental interventions recommended for children with NDDs?
- Sleep hygiene practices
- Safe spaces for sleep
- Special modifications tailored to needs
- Evidence-based recommendations when possible
What are the symptoms of sleep disturbance in children?
- Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep
- Resistance to bedtime
- Daytime fatigue or mood disturbances
What triggers disorder of arousals in children?
- Sleep deprivation
- External/internal stimuli
- Other sleep disorders like SDB and RLS
What are some differential diagnoses for periodic limb movements/PLMD?
- Nocturnal epileptic seizures
- Benign sleep myoclonus in infancy
- Fragmentary myoclonus
- Sleep disorders like RLS and narcolepsy
- Neurological disorders such as ADHD
What multi-faceted impacts does narcolepsy type 1 have?
- Metabolic complications
- Endocrinological issues
- Psychiatric disturbances
- Psychosocial challenges
Describe the treatment approach for narcolepsy.
- Pharmacological: medication for symptoms
- Behavioural: lifestyle changes and therapies
What should parents consider when assessing their child's sleep issues?
- Unrealistic sleep expectations
- Risk factors like home situations
- Past medical history and environmental influences
What is the reported prevalence of confusional arousals in preschool-aged children?
- 17% of children aged 3 to 13
- Often brief and unnoticed by parents
What is the prevalence range of periodic limb movement disorder in children?
- 10%-20% in pediatric populations
- 0.3% in children referred for polysomnography
- 5% in children with PLMs >5 per hour
What factors contribute to paediatric insomnia?
- Biological and circadian elements
- Neurodevelopmental issues
- Environmental and behavioural factors
What is primary sleep enuresis and its prevalence in childhood?
- Strong family history
- Common in children aged 6 to 10
- Linked to decreased bladder storage and excess nighttime urine
What does the presence of CSF hypocretin-1 indicate in narcolepsy?
- Narcolepsy type 1
- Associated with severe symptoms and cataplexy
What is a common issue found with insomnia in adolescents?
- Use of media devices
- Social network involvement
- Consequent sleep disturbances
What factors are associated with the presence of disorder of arousals according to the “3-P model”?
- Genetic predisposition
- Priming factors (deep sleep conditions)
- Precipitating factors (stimuli or sleep disorders)
What are the common manifestations of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias in children?
- Confusional arousals
- Sleep terrors
- Sleepwalking
- Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED)
- Typically considered benign and occur mostly in childhood.
What is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) characterized by?
- Increased upper airway resistance
- Pharyngeal collapsibility
- Symptoms like snoring and apneas
- Associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and learning problems
What are common symptoms of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)?
- Snoring
- Witnessed apneas
- Difficulty breathing during sleep
- Arousals from sleep
- Restless sleep
What are the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)?
- Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Obesity
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Complex conditions like Down syndrome
How is the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) assessed?
- Polysomnography (PSG)
- Identifying apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
- Determining severity based on AHI scores
What are key treatment modalities for OSAS?
- Adenoidectomy with/without tonsillectomy
- Intranasal corticosteroids
- Oral appliances
- Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
How is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome defined according to the 2016 guidelines?
- AHI ≥2 episodes/hr + SDB symptoms with adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Presence of SDB symptoms + AHI ≥1 episode/hr
What are potential morbidities associated with OSAS?
- Daytime sleepiness
- Hyperactivity
- Learning problems
- Elevated blood pressure
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Growth delay
What abnormalities are commonly associated with OSAS in children?
- Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Allergic rhinitis
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Complex disorders like Down syndrome
What is the role of polysomnography (PSG) in diagnosing OSAS?
- Recording physiological signals during sleep
- Identifying apneas and hypopneas
- Distinguishing between SDB types
What is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)?
- Intermittent upper airway obstruction
- Increased airway resistance
- Pharyngeal collapsibility
- Symptoms include snoring, apneas, & arousals
What are common symptoms related to upper airway obstruction in OSAS?
- Snoring
- A reported apnea
- Breathing difficulties during sleep
- Frequent nighttime arousals
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
Which factors contribute to morbidity associated with OSAS?
- Daytime sleepiness
- Inattention and hyperactivity
- Learning problems
- Elevated blood pressure
- Nocturnal enuresis
- Delayed growth rate
What are common risk factors for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)?
- Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Obesity
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Genetic conditions (e.g., Down syndrome)
How is the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) determined?
- Polysomnography (PSG)
- Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)
- Reports of symptoms
- Factors predicting SDB persistence
What are treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)?
- Adenoidectomy
- Tonsillectomy
- Intranasal corticosteroids
- Oral appliances
- Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
What defines obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) according to technical definitions?
- AHI ≥2 episodes/hr or obstructive apnea index ≥1 episode/hr
- Symptoms present with adenotonsillar hypertrophy or obesity
- AHI ≥1 episode/hr with symptoms
What characterizes primary snoring?
- No apneas or hypopneas
- Absence of frequent arousals
- No gas exchange abnormalities on PSG (AHI
What is the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children?
- Snoring (3+ nights/week) in 7%-15% of children
- Moderate-to-severe OSAS in ~1%
- Mild OSAS in about 25%
What are common physical examination findings in OSAS?
- Adenotonsillar hypertrophy
- Allergic rhinitis
- Craniofacial abnormalities
- Obesity
What are some complex conditions associated with obstructive sleep apnea?
- Down syndrome
- Prader-Willi syndrome
- Achondroplasia
- Cerebral palsy
- Various syndromic disorders
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