The sleepy child

The excessively sleepy child can be difficult to detect, although identification is important to correct the underlying cause. Most parents and some health care personnel are unfamiliar with sleep requirements for children. The behavior of the sleepy child may be easy to ignore or may be attributed to a behavioral disorder. Causes of excessive sleepiness fall into one of three categories: inadequate sleep time, fragmented sleep, or increased sleep drive because of an underlying medical condition. Identification of some sleep problems requires additional studies, such as an overnight polysomnogram with additional measurements and adapted norms appropriate for children. Treatment depends on the underlying disorder but may include education and behavioral intervention, pharmacotherapy, or surgical intervention.