children’s sleep what is sleep? how much do children need? dr andrew mayers
DESCRIPTION
3 An overview of normal sleep What is normal sleep? Average adult sleep 6½ - 8 hours each night Children very different and age-specific As we will see soon But we also need to understand sleep structureTRANSCRIPT
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Children’s sleep
Overview What is sleep? How common are sleep problems in children? What is normal sleep for children?
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An overview of normal sleep
What is normal sleep? Average adult sleep 6½ - 8 hours each night
Children very different and age-specific As we will see soon
But we also need to understand sleep structure
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Sleep stages
Sleep is divided in to stages Apply to adults and children
But proportion in those stages differs How do we know?
Scientists have used sleep electroencephalography (EEG)
Sleep EEG measures miniscule electrical activity Small electrodes placed on head Sensitive recording equipment determines output
Sleep EEG sometimes used in children To detect more troublesome sleep problems
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Sleep EEG
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Sleep EEG
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Sleep EEG
Examples of ‘output’ in adults
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Normal sleep
Sleep EEG stages Stage 1 – light sleep
Mixed frequency, low amplitude waves Similar to alert wakefulness
Stage 2 – getting deeper… Sleep spindles
Rapid bursts of high amplitude activity Stage 3 – deeper sleep
Higher amplitude waves but lower frequency Stage 4 – deepest sleep
Lowest frequency, highest amplitude Stages 3 & 4 often grouped as slow-wave sleep (SWS)
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Normal sleep
Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep Periods of intense brain activity Frequent and intense bursts of eye movement
But with lack of muscle tone elsewhere Appears after 1st cycle in adults
First REM period usually occurs after 60-110 minutes Very different in children
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REM sleep vs. SWS
SWS associated with tissue repair and growth SWS probably associated physical restoration
REM sleep often seen as psychological ‘filing system’ May be when brain processes what we have learned Might explain why children spend longer in REM sleep REM sleep also associated with dreaming
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How much sleep?
Recommended: Infants (pre-school): 14 hours Primary school children (4-12): 9-11 hours Adolescents (13+): 8 hours
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Age differences in sleep
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Age differences in sleep
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Age differences in sleep
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Sleep problems in children?
Sleep problems common in children Problems relate to two factors
Sleep timing Sleep arousal
problems for child and the family What sleep problems have you experienced with your
child/children?