If your child isn’t sleeping well, his health and well-being may suffer. Often, parents and others in the family are affected too.

Disordered sleep can cause a host of problems, ranging from fatigue and sleepiness during the day to hyperactivity, trouble in school, frequent ear infection or instances of strep throat and more.

Unfortunately, sleep problems aren’t easy to diagnose in children and teens. Often, youngsters aren’t aware when their sleep is disrupted. And children don’t always exhibit the same symptoms that adults typically suffer due to poor sleep. While an adult who isn’t sleeping well may be drowsy all day, a child may be hyperactive.

Furthermore, a child may sleep an adequate number of hours at night, but still not get good enough quality sleep. The child may awaken feeling even more tired in the morning and feel tired throughout the day.

If you suspect your child may have sleep problems, talk with your pediatrician and ask if a sleep study is in order.

Symptoms to watch out for

Many parents inquire about a sleep study when they notice their child or teen is not sleeping soundly. The child may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. While in bed, the child may snore, move around excessively or grind his teeth. The child’s limbs may twitch or jerk during sleep, or the child may complain of pain or discomfort in his legs at bedtime. In the morning, a child with a sleep problem may have difficulty waking up, even after an adequate number of hours of sleep.

New onset bedwetting – which occurs after the child has been potty-trained – may also indicate a potential sleep issue.

Frequent parasomnias – night terrors, sleep walking or sleep eating – can also signal a sleep problem.

Behavioral issues may also point to a need for a sleep evaluation. During the day, a child with poor sleep may experience daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating in school or remembering information, or behaviors that mirror attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Studies have shown that sleep disturbances can cause a wide range of behavioral issues. Even simple snoring is linked to decreases in a child's performance and attentiveness at school.

Frequent ear infections or instances of strep throat can also signal a sleep problem. A child with sleep disordered breathing may sleep with his or her head tilted back, in an unconscious effort to open up the airway. That position prevents mucus from draining properly in the ears, nose and throat, which can lead to infection.

If your child is experiencing any of these issues, seek the advice of a trusted physician. Ask if a sleep study -- an overnight test that can record a variety of body functions while a child sleep – to help pinpoint and diagnose the problem is needed.

What is a sleep study?

Doctors recommend a sleep study for kids who are suspected to have sleep problems such as obstructive sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder or restless leg syndrome, or narcolepsy, a chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime drowsiness.

Sometimes your pediatrician may recommend a sleep evaluation to help determine if a sleep study is warranted. A sleep evaluation is a consultation with a board-certified pediatric sleep specialist to discuss sleep questions and symptoms your child may be exhibiting. In many cases, the sleep specialist will recommend a pediatric polysomnogram, or sleep study. The pediatric sleep study may be conducted with children as young as six months, up to age 18. Most insurance plans do cover sleep studies.

A few common sleep problems that a sleep study may diagnose:

Pediatric sleep apnea: With this condition, the patient’s airway passages are partially obstructed, resulting in pauses in breathing during the night. These brief, frequent arousals prevent the child from getting the kind of deep, restorative sleep needed. Usually, the child is unaware that he is waking up. Treatment may include surgery to remove enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids; continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy provided through a mask worn during sleep; or an oral appliance to aid the child’s breathing during sleep.

Pediatric RLS or PLMS: Children with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Leg Movement Syndrome (PLMS) experience sudden jerking or bending of the arms and legs during sleep. These symptoms can range from slight twitching of the ankles and toes to leg kicks and flailing of arms and legs. These periodic movements interrupt the child’s sleep and affect the quality of the sleep. When a sleep study indicates RLS, a blood test for iron deficiency is ordered. If a deficiency is detected, iron supplements may be prescribed.

Pediatric narcolepsy: A chronic neurological condition caused by the brain's inability to regulate the sleep-wake cycle normally. Children with narcolepsy have uncontrollable urges to sleep at inappropriate times during the day. Treatment typically includes medications, lifestyle behavior modifications (eating, drinking and sleeping tips) and educating teachers, coaches and others about how this disorder may affect the child’s functioning.

Note that not all sleep problems require a sleep study for treatment and not all treatments require medication. In some cases, a sleep study may serve to eliminate sleep problems as the cause of the symptoms or concerns in question.

But when the sleep study does reveal problems with the child’s sleep, your physician can recommend an effective treatment plan. Your child, and the rest of the family, can once again enjoy a good night’s sleep.

If you’re concerned about your child’s sleep, learn more about the Pediatric Sleep Institute in Plano and how to schedule an appointment.