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Clinical Pharmacology of Sleep pp 133–152Cite as

Clinical pharmacology of sleep disturbances in children and adolescents

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Conclusions

Pediatric sleep disorders are common, have significant effects on daytime functioning of children and families, and most are amenable to some combination of behavioral management strategies and pharmacological treatment. It is particularly important for the primary care physician to screen for sleep problems in children, especially in high-risk populations. A detailed history evaluating circumstances related to the sleep problem should be obtained. Addition of pharmacological therapy to non-pharmacological interventions for pediatric sleep disorders for disorders such as insomnia, parasomnias, narcolepsy, RLS or PLMs should be diagnostically driven, and should consider both the best match between the medication type and individual patient, as well as the dosing regimen with the least side effects. Until these medications are systematically studied or newer specific agents are developed for pediatric sleep problems, it is necessary for practitioners looking after children to optimize quality of life and sequalae related to sleep problems, while minimizing potential side effects.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Ambulatory Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Potter Bldg., Suite 200, Providence, RI, 02903, USA

    Judith A. Owens

  2. Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Manisha B. Witmans

Authors
  1. Judith A. Owens
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  2. Manisha B. Witmans
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Comprehensive Center for Sleep Medicine, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1176, 5th Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA

    S. R. Pandi-Perumal

  2. Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 2833/602 Zudanez Street, Montevideo, 11300, Uruguay

    Jaime M. Monti

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© 2006 Birkhäuser Verlag/Switzerland

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Owens, J.A., Witmans, M.B. (2006). Clinical pharmacology of sleep disturbances in children and adolescents. In: Pandi-Perumal, S.R., Monti, J.M. (eds) Clinical Pharmacology of Sleep. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7643-7440-3_9

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