Sleep problems and starting school.

Sleep disorders in children starting school are associated with impaired performance and behavioural difficulties. This is not at all unusual. It is already recognised that the symptoms of these disorders are very variable and can be demonstrated among children of any given age. Even in an individually affected child, they need an appropriate diagnostic evaluation so that the many environmental and background factors that may be relevant, can be assessed.

In order to look more closely at this, extensive data was obtained on approximately 1400 children who were tested before beginning school in 2005. This data was obtained using a special sleep questionnaire and another screening instrument that is used to assess behavioral strengths and difficulties (the SDQ, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).

Five percent of the children were found to have difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or nocturnal awakening. Less frequent problems included sleepwalking (0.1%), and frequent nightmares (1.7%).

This study showed that sleep disorders increase the risk of daytime fatigue, poorer concentration, poor learning and of psychological problems in general. Sleep deficit can result in both hyperactivity and excessive emotional stress.

These results imply that sleep problems and emotional disturbances are intimately connected. They also underscore the importance of diagnosing sleep problems in young children.

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