Sleep in Infants and Children with Medical Disorders

Sleep disturbances including sleep-disordered breathing, insomnia, parasomnias, and circadian rhythm disorders are estimated to affect between 10 and 20% of the general pediatric population. However, children with co morbid medical disorders have an increased risk for sleep disorders based on the disease itself, pain, treatments for the underlying disease, or the child's or family's response to the disease. Literature discussing sleep disturbances in these populations is lacking. This may be related to the rarity of some of the childhood medical disorders. However, it is likely also related to the general under-recognition of sleep disturbances in the pediatric population. The purpose of this article is to discuss sleep-related difficulties in patients with a variety of medical disorders. Highlighted disorders include atopic diseases, blind, cancer, congenital heart disease, craniofacial disorders, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, renal disease, and sickle cell anemia. Recognition and treatment of sleep disturbances associated with these medical disorders may result in improved quality of life for these children.