Sleep disorders are largely underdiagnosed in pediatric patients

Primary care pediatricians may be under-diagnosing sleep disorders in children and teens, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Monday, June 8 at SLEEP 2009, the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies.

The study obtained data from 32 primary care pediatric practices affiliated with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Information was gathered by chart review for 154,957 patients, ranging in age from 0 to 18 years. Results show that less than four percent (5750 children) were diagnosed with a sleep disorder. The most common diagnoses were sleep disorders that are “not otherwise specified” (1.42 percent), enuresis – or bedwetting (1.24 percent), sleep disordered breathing (1.04 percent), and insomnia (0.05 percent).

According to lead author Lisa Meltzer, PhD, the rate of diagnosis found in this study is significantly lower than prevalence rates reported in epidemiological studies.

"Sleep is often discussed during check-ups for young children, but it may not come up as a topic with teenagers, resulting in an under diagnosis of sleep disorders for this group of adolescents,” said Meltzer. “Pediatricians should ask about sleep during every well-child visit. Children who snore, have problems falling asleep, are difficult to wake in the morning, or who fall asleep in school should be further evaluated for sleep disorders.”

Because sleep problems in children can have a major impact on learning, growth and development, the authors advise that it is important for pediatricians to receive education and support in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), some signs that your child may have a sleep problem include:

* You spend too much time “helping” your child fall asleep
* Your child wakes up repeatedly during the night.
* Your child snores very loudly or struggles to breathe during sleep.
* Your child’s behavior, mood or school performance changes.
* Your child who used to stay dry at night begins to wet the bed.

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Parents who notice an ongoing sleep problem in their child should talk to their child’s doctor or contact an AASM-accredited sleep disorders center.

More information about children and sleep is available from the AASM at http://www.sleepeducation.com/Topic.aspx?id=8.

SLEEP 2009 will bring together an international body of 6,000 leading researchers and clinicians in the field of sleep medicine to present and discuss new findings and medical developments related to sleep and sleep disorders.

More than 1,300 research abstracts will be presented at SLEEP 2009, a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society. The scientific meeting will bring to light new findings that enhance the understanding of the processes of sleep and aid the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

Abstract Title: Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Pediatric Primary Care Practice
Presentation Date: Monday, June 8
Category: Pediatrics
Abstract ID: 0197

Contact: Kelly Wagner

708-492-0930
American Academy of Sleep Medicine

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