Normal Sleep in Childhood

Sleep is a critical process in children in that it influences all aspects of physiological functioning, development, and behavior. The two types of sleep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non–rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, are inherent throughout life; however, the sleep architecture and sleep duration changes over time as the brain changes from the newborn period to adulthood. There are hallmarks related to sleep architectural changes that are specific and unique to the different age ranges. Although the process and neuromodulation of sleep is similar across the life span, there are attributes that are different in children compared to adults. There are also physiological differences in the brain waves and changes in respiratory parameters. This chapter highlights normal sleep in children.