A Family Physician's Approach to Sleep Deprivation in Children

ABSTRACT

Sleep deprivation is not uncommon among children in Singapore. Children with deprived sleep may present with poor academic performance, learning disabilities and behavioural disorders. As a result of sleep deprivation, performance in complex tasks involving higher brain functions is affected more than simple memory tasks. Sleep quality rather than sleep quantity is associated with good cognitive learning and memory function. Regular sleep-wake patterns with good sleep schedules will reinforce this. Causes of sleep deprivation include insufficient sleep, fragmentation of sleep and increased need for sleep. The BEARS questionnaire is a useful screening tool for sleep deprivation. A clinical approach to exclude medical conditions that may cause excessive daytime sleepiness should be conducted and focused physical examination be performed. A two-week sleep log about the child's sleep habits and sleep-wake cycles should be recorded. Referrals to a sleep specialist should be made if any sleep disorders is suspected.