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. 2008 Jan;13(1):37-42.
doi: 10.1093/pch/13.1.37.

The tired teen: A review of the assessment and management of the adolescent with sleepiness and fatigue

Sheri M Findlay  1
Affiliations

The tired teen: A review of the assessment and management of the adolescent with sleepiness and fatigue

Sheri M Findlay. Paediatr Child Health. 2008 Jan.

Abstract
in English, French

The symptoms of sleepiness and fatigue are frequently encountered when caring for adolescents. Up to 40% of healthy teens experience regular sleepiness, defined as an increased tendency to fall asleep. Fatigue is the perception of low energy following normal activity and is reported by up to 30% of well teens. Chronic fatigue syndrome is an unusual syndrome with severe fatigue accompanied by other physical and neurological symptoms. A thorough assessment is required for all teens with sleepiness and fatigue; however, a treatable underlying medical condition is rarely found. Most fatigue and sleepiness in teens is attributable to lifestyle issues, notably too little time spent sleeping. Physicians are in a position to screen for, assess and manage these common conditions in teens.

Les adolescents présentent souvent des symptômes de somnolence et de lassitude. Jusqu’à 40 % des adolescents en santé ressentent une somnolence régulière, définie comme une augmentation de la tendance à s’endormir. La lassitude est la perception de manque d’énergie après des activités normales, dont jusqu’à 30 % des adolescents en santé font état. Le syndrome de fatigue chronique est un syndrome inhabituel qui s’accompagne d’intense lassitude et d’autres symptômes physiques et neurologiques. Tous les adolescents qui ressentent de la somnolence et de la lassitude doivent subir une évaluation approfondie, mais le médecin trouve rarement un trouble médical sous-jacent et traitable. Dans la plupart des cas, la lassitude et la somnolence chez les adolescents sont attribuables au mode de vie et, notamment, au manque de temps consacré au sommeil. Les médecins sont bien placés pour dépister, évaluer et prendre en charge ces problèmes courants chez les adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescent; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Fatigue; Sleepiness.

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