A significant number of women worrying about cancer may be experiencing sleep disturbances, even without a breast cancer diagnosis, according to a research abstract that will be presented by Amita Dharawat, MD, on Monday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

In the first study across time into late childhood of the effects of prenatal drug exposure on sleep, prenatal drug exposure is associated with greater sleep problems in children. In addition, nicotine has a unique effect, and early sleep problems predict later sleep problems, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Tuesday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Decreased nightly total sleep time, even within the normal range, is associated with an increased percentage of REM sleep during subsequent naps, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Tuesday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

For some children, sleep problems may result purely from poor sleep habits and inadequate sleep hygiene. However, for a small percentage of children, sleep problems might represent a pre-cursor or early symptom of a more serious emotional disorders, including anxiety and depression, according to a research abstract that will be presented on Monday at SLEEP 2008, the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Common hassles at work are more likely than long hours, night shifts or job insecurity to follow workers home and interfere with their sleep.

Chronic cough can cut into children’s sleep and fray parents’ nerves. Although antihistamines can alleviate cough, possible side effects outweigh their benefits, say authors of a new review of studies from Australia.

In a new survey, physicians report they are not getting the sleep they need to function at their best and current work schedules may contribute to their inadequate sleep.

Treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) appears to have beneficial effects on sleep parameters in adults with ADHD, including increased sleep efficiency and a feeling of improved restorative value of sleep, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have abnormal respiratory-related evoked potentials compared to other children their age. This indicates that children with OSA do not perceive their airway closing to the same degree that normal children do, and may explain why these children do not mount protective responses to upper airway collapse, but instead go on to develop OSA, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

Lack of adequate sleep can lead to increased injuries among preschool children, new research shows. This study published in Public Health Nursing shows that the average number of injuries during the preschool years is two times higher for children who don’t get enough sleep each day as described by their mothers.

The field of presidential contenders dwindled Wednesday when former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) dropped out of the race. As Super Tuesday approaches, however, the Democratic and Republican frontrunners will continue to face a formidable challenge from sleep deprivation.

In one of the largest epidemiologic studies of insomnia among adolescents ever conducted in the United States, a study published in the February 1 issue of the journal SLEEP allows for an estimation of the impact of chronic insomnia on future functioning of adolescents.