The sleepy child.

Disorders of excessive sleepiness are uncommon in children. When they occur, the presentation is often consistent with the developmental age of the child and does not meet either historical or laboratory criteria determined with adults in mind. Because of these differences, the true diagnosis can be missed or inadequately treated. Knowledge of the differences in presentation, diagnosis, and treatment between adult and childhood sleep disorders is imperative to prevent serious cardiac, respiratory, psychiatric, and cognitive morbidity.