Too little sleep can cause ADHD and hyperactivity in children

May 30, 11:46 AMChicago Family Health ExaminerJasmine Jafferali

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Are there links between common sleep disorders and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? New studies suggest there may be. It has been suggested that some children who lack sleep and do not appear tired, will instead mis-behave. 

There are a few reasons for the misdiagnosis.

1. Kids may actually have sleep apnea.  A child who snores or open mouth breathes may have obstructed airways causing them not to get sufficient, quality sleep they may need.  Unlike adults, sleep apnea is a result of being overweight, this is may not the case with children.  Even though they may be sleeping their 10-12 hours each night, peek in and see how they are sleeping.  Are they restless?  Snoring?  Sleeping with their mouths open?  This all may indicate a sleep disorder.  You may go to sleep clinic to get a proper diagnosis. 
2. Also check for other sleep related disorders such as sleepwalking, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. 
3. Check for food and environmental allergies.  Food allergies results in nutritional deficiencies and environmental allergies often results in breathing difficulties both which can lead to poor quality of sleep.
4. Evaluate what the child is eating.  Is it high in sugar and refined carbohydrates?  Is it lacking fruits, veggies and fiber rich foods?  Often too much sugar in the diet can alter behavior causing anxiety, depression, suppresses the immune system and depletes the body of important minerals. 

Of the 280 examined in the Pediatrics study, those who slept for fewer than eight hours were the most hyperactive.  Making sure kids are getting adequate sleep per day is important to growth and brain development.  Sleep is a natural way for the body to release growth hormones, which is vital during this period of life.  When sleep is shortened, the release of growth hormone is disrupted.   How much sleep kids need is dependent upon each age group, however it is important for parents to establish good sleeping routines during infancy.  What experts are finding is toddlers (age 12 to 35 months) need 12 to 14 hours of sleep but are getting only 11.7. Preschoolers and kindergarten children need 11 to 13 hours of sleep but are getting 10.4 and those in the first through fifth grades who need 10 to 11 hours actually slept about 9.5 hours daily.  This is sleep one cannot make up.  Experts say adequate sleep could improve behavior in healthy children, reduce and possibly eliminate symptoms of ADHD. 

The same happens to adults when they do not get enough sleep.  Often grumpy, irritable adults will reach for their cup of Joe to keep them awake.  Prescription meds for ADHD has caffeine in them to overstimulate the child and tire them out.  If we all just got the recommended sleep we need, we can all function better in our worlds.  Finding out if the child has a sleep disorder is important before putting the child on prescription medicines, which has consequences for their health and daily life. 

Be sure to talk to your pediatrician about your options before giving your child prescription drugs. Request to have a sleep study done to see how they are sleeping at night.  Kids under 19 have the highest growth rate for prescription drug use and that is alarming. 

Listings of Chicago area sleep clinics

Check out Sleep For Kids

Read more from pediatrician Dr. Greene about sleep apnea and ADHD