title: [Clinical evaluation and treatment of insomnia in childhood].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to review and update the knowledge about insomnia in childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  The text was based on a MEDLINE search (publications from 1999 to 2004) using the keywords sleep disorders, insomnia, and childhood. Classic articles and textbooks about the subject were also included. The authors proposed a practical schedule to evaluate and treat insomnia in childhood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The article was structured on descriptive topics containing the definition of insomnia, age-related clinical characteristics and therapeutics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder in pediatric outpatient clinics and is often misdiagnosed. Defining its etiology is the main goal to establish therapeutic procedures. In most cases, clinical history is sufficient to establish the diagnosis and reassure parents of the benign nature of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. nunes@pucrs.br
authors.forename: Magda Lahorgue
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nunes
authors.forename: Verônica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011613:Psychotherapy; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives