Causes of Sleepiness in Children Identified

Obesity, asthma, anxiety or depression are the big factors in kids' daytime sleepiness, found in a study. EDS is the inability to stay awake during the day, while sleep-disordered breathing is a group of disorders that includes sleep apnea, characterized by pauses in breathing.Although EDS in children is commonly assumed by physicians and the public to be the result of sleep-disordered breathing or inadequate sleep, our data suggest that EDS in young children is more strongly associated with obesity and mood issues as it is in adults," said Edward Bixler, professor of psychiatry, Sleep Research and Treatment Center.

The condition may hamper a child's academic performance since he cannot stay alert and concentrate on studies during daytime.he study further reveals that out of 508 children 15 pc suffer from EDS.

"Our study indicates that EDS is highly prevalent in children, a symptom that may adversely affect daytime functioning," Bixler added.

This study establishes a link between childhood EDS and medical factors, medication for asthma, waist circumference, and parent-reported anxiety/depression and parent-reported sleep difficulties, trouble falling asleep, restless sleep and waking often during the night.

Researchers who conducted the study on 508 children, found waist circumference, positive history of asthma, use of asthma medication, heartburn as causes of EDS.

Parent-reported symptoms of anxiety/depression and of sleep difficulty are also significantly associated with EDS.

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The study has been published in the journal Sleep.

Source-ANI