Abstract

ALDANA, A; SAMUDIO D, GC; IRALA, E  and  RODAS, N. Sleep disorders : prevalence in a preschool and school age pediatric population in an urban area. Pediatr. (Asunción) [online]. 2006, vol.33, n.1, pp.20-25. ISSN 1683-9803.

Childhood sleep disorders are frequent and usually harmless. They rarely indicate a serious illness. They usually go unnoticed, unless the parents express concern over an obvious manifestation, such as dysomnias or parasomnias, or diurnal fatigue due to sleep deprivation. This work was done to establish the prevalence of sleep disorders in preschool and school age children. A survey was done, with questions for mothers about the neurological development and sleep disorders in their children. A total of 388 surveys were included. The most frequent disorders were night terrors, bruxism, nightmares and somniloquy. Sleep hygiene habits were not found to be the most adequate. Little participation of the pediatrician was found in the necessary education of parents.

Keywords : Sleep disorders in pediatrics; dysomnia; parasomnia; sleep hygiene.