Medical Conditions Affecting Sleep in Children
Overview
Symptoms
- Daytime sleepiness
- Behavior problems
- Attention difficulties
- Mood problems
- Learning problems
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
Underlying Causes
Pearls & Alerts
It may take trial and error to rule out conditions that can disturb sleep. The Questionnaire to Help Identify Underlying Medical Conditions in Children with Autism (AAP) (

Role of the Medical Home
- Review sleep behaviors and sleep hygiene. See Behavioral Techniques to Improve Sleep.
- Ensure that the child has a safe environment at night if unmonitored while awake and discuss respite needs and options with the family. Consider safety gates, door alarms, cabinet, or fridge locks, etc.
- Be aware that recurrent hospitalizations, surgeries, or illnesses can negatively impact CYSHCN’s sleep patterns. Consider a behavioral health referral and child life consultation during periods of hospitalization.
- Review patient's medications to identify those that can
make it harder to fall asleep (e.g., stimulants) or cause difficulty staying
awake during the day (e.g., phenobarbital, clonidine).
- Be aware that some medications used for sleep have increased potential to cause agitation in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., gabapentin, clonazepam).
- Ask about the use of non-prescription medications, supplements, caffeine and energy drinks, and illicit substances that can impact sleep.
Resources
Tools
Links to commonly used screens and clinical information for next steps after a positive screen, including when to refer; Medical Home Portal.
Questionnaire to Help Identify Underlying Medical Conditions in Children with Autism (AAP) ( 281 KB)
A list of 29 yes/no questions given to parents by clinicians to help evaluate potential medical contributors to sleep issues
in children with autism; American Academy of Pediatrics.
Services for Patients & Families in Idaho (ID)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | ID | NW | Other states (5) (show) | | MT | NM | NV | RI | UT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Child Mental Health Care | 2 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 50 | ||||
Pain Management | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||||
Pediatric Neurology | 15 | 5 | 15 | 5 | ||||||
Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 | ||||
Pediatric Rheumatology | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Helpful Articles
Bruni O, Angriman M, Calisti F, Comandini A, Esposito G, Cortese S, Ferri R.
Practitioner Review: Treatment of chronic insomnia in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
J Child Psychol Psychiatry.
2018;59(5):489-508.
PubMed abstract
Page Bibliography
Mathew A, Mathew MC.
Bedtime diazepam enhances well-being in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
Pediatr Rehabil.
2005;8(1):63-6.
PubMed abstract