Pediatr. praxi. 2026;27(4):208-215 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2026.035

Sleep disorders in childhood

MUDr. Vilém Novák, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, MUDr. Ondřej Hrubý¹, MUDr. Eva Babka Štěpánová, Ph.D.^{1, 2}

¹ Oddělení dětské neurologie FN Ostrava

² Katedra klinických neurověd OU Ostrava

Sleep disorders in childhood occur in at least 30 % of children, from the neonatal period until adolescence. The most important task is to identify affections that may negatively affect cognitive functions, especially attention as well as behaviour, emotions, learning and school performance, the child's health and growth, and the cardiovascular system. Correct and timely diagnosis of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnoea, and narcolepsy is essential for favourable development in childhood. An important relationship might occur between certain types of epilepsies and the sleep-wake (circadian) rhythm. About 1/3 of epileptic patients experience epileptic seizures mainly during sleep; these seizures and epileptiform discharges disrupt sleep architecture. Conversely, many sleep disorders, for example obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, can worsen epileptic seizures.

Keywords: sleep, sleep disorders, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnoea.

Accepted: September 3, 2026; Published: September 17, 2026  Show citation