Healthy sleep in children and teens
Proper sleep is critical in the growth and development of children and teens. Many studies have shown that children and teens are not getting the sleep they need to achieve peak performance and health. Sleep patterns are affected by school, activities, parents working varied hours, and family dynamics that have them staying up late and waking up early. It is important to pay attention to the behavior of children and teens, especially their sleep hygiene, to ensure they are receiving the right amount of sleep for their age. Parents often think children and teens will grow out of their odd sleep behaviors, and while that can be the case, it is always best to check with their physician to ensure the right amount of sleep for their development.
How much sleep do children and teens require?
The National Sleep Foundation has developed a scale that list the required hours of sleep appropriate for infants through adults.
What are the effects of insufficient or interrupted sleep?
- Poor academic performance
- Bed wetting
- Behavioral issues
- Weight gain
- Chronic fragmented sleep affects the child and the entire family
What Are Common Sleep Disorders in Children and Teens?
The diagnosis and treatment of a child’s sleep disorder is a key factor to their future physical, mental and emotional growth. Sleep disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Parasomnias also known as Night Terrors, Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome (PLMS), Narcolepsy, and Insomnia are all common childhood sleep disorders. These disorders should be ruled out when they appear, as they can lead to further issues now and later in life. The consequences of improper sleep can lead to poor school performance, poor physical development, and behavior issues such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The comprehensive diagnostic services at Advantage Sleep Centers can provide parents and physicians with the medical information necessary to determine if your child has a sleep disorder and create the most successful plan of treatment to give them healthy, restful sleep.
What are the signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder in children and young adults?
- Acting out/ Hyperactivity
- Falling asleep during school or activities
- Mouth-breathing
- Night terrors
- Periodic leg or arm movements (flailing)
- Snoring
- Sleep walks
- Trouble waking up in the morning
How is a sleep disorder diagnosed?
A sleep disorder is diagnosed by a physician prescribed non-invasive overnight sleep study called a polysomnogram. Always seek the advice of your family physician if you suspect your child has a sleep disorder, and they will determine if a sleep study is necessary.
Why choose Advantage Sleep Centers for the sleep study?
Advantage Sleep Centers works closely with parents and physicians in the coordination and provision of comprehensive diagnostic sleep services and treatment. Here are some reasons why physicians, parents, and patients choose us:
- Advantage facilities throughout South Jersey are Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
- Our professional and friendly staff specializes in pediatric and adolescent care
- State of the art equipment is used to obtain the most accurate results
- We provide a warm, cozy and welcoming environment for the whole family
- Studies performed 7 nights a week ensures flexible scheduling
- All of our centers are handicap accessible
- We accept most insurance plans
What can you expect with a pediatric sleep study?
Our staff will assist in the coordination of the physician-prescribed sleep study in one of our age appropriate rooms. We perform pediatric sleep studies for children 6 years old and up. We make accommodations for parents who wish to stay in the room or have a private room right next door to the child. Our compassionate, experienced sleep technicians are trained to ease the mind of both patient and parent/caregiver. They will walk the patient and parent/caregiver through the set up and testing while providing continued support throughout the study to make them feel comfortable. In the morning the technician will provide information on “what happens next” with one of our Medical Directors. The technician will score the waking, breathing, and movement patterns of the patient’s sleep study. One of our board certified sleep medicine physicians will interpret the scored study and provide results and recommendations for the best course of treatment for optimum sleep health in the child or young adult.
How do you schedule a sleep study at Advantage Sleep Centers?
Once you discuss your child or teen’s sleep behaviors with their physician and determine that a sleep study is the right course of action, your physician will prescribe a sleep study. If you would like to schedule your study at Advantage Sleep Centers, have their physician write a script to our facility, and call 856-95-SLEEP to speak with our sleep schedulers and set a date for the study.
If your child is having trouble sleeping at night, choose Advantage Sleep Centers and experience the Advantage difference: excellent service and care throughout diagnostics and treatment.