Sleep Problems in Children Appear as ADHD

Pediatrics ^ | 2003;112:870-877

[DannyTN]

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Children who struggle with sleep disorders often appear sleepy and inattentive during the daytime. A new study shows symptoms in 5-year-olds are suggestive of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Doctors say there is an increasing understanding of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. It’s estimated to affect 2 percent to 3 percent of children.

Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine led the study of 3,019 5-year-old children. Parents completed a survey about their child’s sleep patterns, snoring and the presence of daytime sleepiness and behavior problems. Hyperactivity was reported 19 percent of the time, while inattention came in second at 18 percent and aggressiveness followed at 12 percent. Daytime sleepiness was reported only 10 percent of the time.

The researchers write, “Compared with children without snoring or other symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, children with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms were significantly more likely to have parent-reported daytime sleepiness.” The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was similar for boys and girls.

Overall, the presence of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms was associated with a two-fold increase in behaviors suggestive of ADHD. The study investigators believe when a child exhibits signs of sleepiness, hyperactivity and inattention, they should be looked at for sleep problems. This is especially important to handle prior to the child beginning school. They write, “Identification of the problem at 5 years of age may be particularly valuable, as it would allow therapeutic intervention.”

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SOURCE: Pediatrics, 2003;112:870-877

[DannyTN]

Thought this was interesting.

[AppyPappy]

This is especially true if you let them stay up to 11PM watching TV.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

This makes so much sense that it will be completely ignored.

Ain't no money to be made sending kids to bed early.

Lots of money to be made injecting Ritalin into their brains.

[Dems_R_Losers]

I cannot convince my doctor that this may be my son's problem. He is 10 and has had mild ADHD symptoms since about age 5. I have never medicated him. He does not snore but he does move all over the place during the night, and often gets up an hour or more after going to bed complaining that his mind is racing and he cannot get to sleep. He is underweight and undersized for his age too. His symptoms are primarily not sitting still and not being able to focus on schoolwork. He has no learning disability and is in the gifted program at his school, but often has trouble keeping up with the workload due to his difficulty focusing. I have similar sleep and focus problems myself.

One Sunday morning a year or so ago, I noticed that he was extraordinarily well behaved and quiet in church. I realized that he had been tired from playing ball the previous day and went to bed very early. After that I have tried to monitor his sleep/behavior patterns from time to time. It isn't always consistent. And it isn't as easy as just "not letting him stay up to watch TV." How can you make a child go to sleep at night, even when you have to drag him out of bed in the morning? I am considering giving him a small dose of Benadryl to see if that helps him sleep.

[Fierce Allegiance]

This is great for the borderline adhd kids. Some still have chemical imbalances that are the true ADHD kids, who will benefit greatly from stimulants like Ritalin.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I am considering giving him a small dose of Benadryl to see if that helps him sleep.

I had a pattern similar to your son when I was younger.

My parents got me into the habit of reading "heavy" stories before bedtime (pretty much anything by Tolkien). The weight of the writing would give my brain a good workout before bed, then it was lights out with some soft classical music playing in the background.

My brain would focus on the music, thereby "shutting out" the background noise in my head that would make my mind race.

[DannyTN]

"I cannot convince my doctor that this may be my son's problem."

Take him to see a sleep specialist. A lot of major hospitals now have a sleep ward, where they test for sleep apnea. So you could probably find a specialist there. Also Medical Equipment companies now have equipment that can monitor oxygen levels at night and test for sleep apnea in the home. Find a medical equipment company that has that and I bet they could tell you where to go to get tested or which doctors will order the test for you.

Oximeter

[yankeedame]

"...A new study shows symptoms in 5-year-olds are suggestive of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Doctors say there is an increasing understanding of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. It’s estimated to affect 2 percent to 3 percent of children..."

Oh, cheeze louise!! This must really be a slow news day. "2 percent to 3 percent"! Ooohh...impressive. That means 97%-98% are (completely) unaffected.

[malakhi]

One Sunday morning a year or so ago, I noticed that he was extraordinarily well behaved and quiet in church. I realized that he had been tired from playing ball the previous day and went to bed very early. ... How can you make a child go to sleep at night, even when you have to drag him out of bed in the morning?

Maybe you just answered your own question -- more physical activity.