Sleep Problems in Children with Respiratory Disorders

Sleep problems are common in many pediatric respiratory diseases including chronic lung disease of infancy, asthma, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell lung disease, and respiratory insufficiency due to neuromuscular disease and scoliosis. Given the adverse neurocognitive and physiologic effects associated with a deranged night's sleep, the goal of this article is to enhance the physician's ability to anticipate, recognize, and appropriately manage a variety of sleep-related problems including sleep-disordered breathing, gas exchange abnormalities, insomnias, and circadian rhythm disturbances in order to improve children's function and quality of life.