Rise in child sleep disorders a ‘hidden public health crisis’

THE number of children with sleep disorders is rising, NHS data shows, as experts blame social media and obesity for the increase.

Last year 9,429 under-16-year-olds were admitted to hospital with sleep issues, in what has been branded a “hidden public health crisis”.

By comparison, in 2012-13, 6,250 young people with sleep disorders were seen by hospital staff, NHS Digital figures show.

“Sleep issues are a huge problem. It’s a hidden public health crisis,” Rachael Taylor, a child sleep consultant at The Sleep Sanctuary, told The Guardian.

The growing obesity rate among young people is one reason for the problem. It can cause sleep apnoea, where the muscles and soft tissues in the throat collapse, blocking the airway. According to the NHS, during a sleep apnoea episode, the lack of oxygen triggers a sufferer’s brain to pull them out of deep sleep so the airway reopens.

Another factor affecting young people’s sleep is the blue light emitted from tablets, mobiles and laptops. While scrolling through Instagram and Facebook feeds, the light has the effect of suppressing the production of sleep hormones, keeping people awake.

The figures, analysed by The Guardian, reveal that despite the explosion in child sleep disorders, the number of cases overall dropped marginally, from 29,511 in 2012-13 to 29,184 in 2017-18.