Sleep is an essential component of health for children as well as adults.
Sleep disorders are common in children
Sleep disorders can cause a number of problems for children including poor growth, mood disorders and problems with cognition, attention and learning.
Sleep disorders need to be excluded in children presenting with these symptoms before other diagnoses are explored because they are potentially treatable.
Children with other medical problems may be more likely to suffer from sleep difficulties which may exacerbate their underlying condition, so it is always important to ask about sleep in the systems review.
Children’s sleep (or lack of it) can also have a profound impact on other family members
