Sleep is an eye-opener: Behavioral causes and consequences of hypersomnolence in children

The most common behavioral cause of hypersomnia in children is insufficient sleep. Behavioral causes of insufficient sleep for children, ages six months through 12 years, include inadequate sleep hygiene, bedtime struggles, prolonged sleep onset latency, nighttime fears, and nightmares. Behavioral interventions are efficacious and should be individualized to meet the needs of the child and family. Insufficient sleep affects many areas of child development, including academic, cognitive, and psychosocial, as well as parents and caregivers. Behavioral causes of sleepiness in children are best identified through a clinical interview, sleep diary, and actigraphy.