Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine on the Recommended Amount of Sleep for Healthy Children: Methodology and Discussion

Abstract

Abstract: Members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine developed consensus recommendations for the amount of sleep needed to promote optimal health in children and adolescents using a modified RAND Appropriateness Method. After review of 864 published articles, the following sleep durations are recommended: Infants 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health. Sleeping the number of recommended hours on a regular basis is associated with better health outcomes including: improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health. Regularly sleeping fewer than the number of recommended hours is associated with attention, behavior, and learning problems. Insufficient sleep also increases the risk of accidents, injuries, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and depression. Insufficient sleep in teenagers is associated with increased risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.

Commentary: A commentary on this article apears in this issue on page 1439.

Keywords: consensus; pediatric; sleep duration.

© 2016 American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Figures

Figure 1. Round 1 voting results.

Round 1 voting was based on voting across all age groups under the following eight domains: cardiovascular health, developmental health, human performance, general health, immunology, longevity, mental health and metabolic health.

Figure 2. Round 2 voting results.

Round 2 voting was based on voting across all age groups under the following seven domains: cardiovascular health, developmental health, human performance, general health, immunology, mental health and metabolic health.

Figure 3. Round 3 voting results.

Round 3 voting is based on voting summary across all age groups.