Insomnia

Experts Provide Leading-Edge Diagnosis and Treatment for Children with Insomnia

University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Pediatric Sleep Center offers the latest advancements in diagnostics and treatment of childhood insomnia and other common sleep problems. Defined as an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, insomnia affects up to 25 percent of younger children today.

Children with insomnia may have problems with one or more of the following:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep
• Waking up too early in the morning
• Non-refreshing sleep

Many children with insomnia have difficulty relaxing, which is important for falling asleep. In older children and teenagers, insomnia may be a sign of a mood or anxiety disorder in about 50 percent of cases.

Insomnia Symptoms in Children

Sleep specialists at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Pediatric Sleep Center are trained in screening young patients with a history of insomnia. Insomnia symptoms in children and teenagers may vary but frequently include the following signs:

• Anxiety or frustration about sleep
• Attention, concentration or memory problems
• Daytime sleepiness
• Low energy or fatigue
• Waking up tired or in pain

Insomnia Treatment for Children

Treating insomnia in children usually involves behavioral therapies. The Pediatric Sleep Center at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, which features access to a board-certified pediatric sleep specialist and developmental behavioral pediatrician in one visit, is fully equipped to help children and teens find safe and effective treatments through behavioral strategies or medications so they get the sleep that is necessary for good health.

Specialists at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital Pediatric Sleep Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders in children as pediatric sleep disorders such as child sleep apnea, insomnia and narcolepsy can have a number of causes. For the patients’ convenience, the Pediatric Sleep Center has both a pediatric sleep specialist and a developmental behavioral pediatrician available to see patients.