Sleep and sedation in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Sleep is an important and necessary function of the human body. Somatic growth and cellular repair occur during sleep. Critically ill children have disturbed sleep while in the pediatric intensive care unit related both to the illness itself and to light, noise, and caregiver activities disrupting an environment conducive to sleep. Medications administered in the pediatric intensive care unit can also disrupt sleep. This article reviews what is known about sleep in the pediatric intensive care unit and the effects of common sedation medications on sleep.
Carno
Margaret-Ann
MA
University of Rochester School of Nursing, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box SON, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. margaret_carno@urmc.rochester.edu
Connolly
Heidi V
HV
D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008029:Lighting / Q000009:adverse effects; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control