Pediatrician Meskina: lack of sleep in children threatens to reduce immunity
Preschoolers should sleep 12 hours a day, said Elena Meskina
If a child goes to bed late and does not sleep enough hours, then his immune defense is reduced, the nervous and digestive systems suffer. Professor of the Department of Pediatrics, Head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of the MONIKI named following URA.RU told regarding this. M.F. Vladimirsky Elena Meskina.
“The hormonal rhythm is of fundamental importance. At night, certain biologically active substances are produced, for example, melatonin, which ensures a restful sleep. And, secondly, it is the interaction with the immune system. If the child does not “sleep out” a certain number of hours and goes to bed following 23, then the biological rhythm of hormone production is disturbed. And this leads to a violation of the immune system, digestion, and the activity of the nervous system. Consequently, he will be excitable, will become less able to learn the training program, get sick more often, and will be susceptible to respiratory infections. And each respiratory infection, in turn, worsens health,” said Elena Meskina.
According to her, there is a certain number of hours that a child needs to sleep. “A preschooler should sleep at least 12 hours a day. If he does not have daytime sleep. The child should fall asleep at 21.00 – 22.00 maximum. And the children of the first year of life – at 20.00, ”said the pediatrician.
She stressed that sleep is especially important for teenagers and children approaching the age of puberty. “All our hormones are directly related to the activity of our nervous system. They affect blood pressure, hormonal functions, including sex hormones, appetite, obesity, reproductive function, and cardiovascular activity. Tension headaches, increased fatigue – it’s all interconnected. During sleep, hormonal changes occur. Therefore, adolescents, before the onset of sexual development, should basically go to bed on time and do it regularly, ”Meskina explained.
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If a child goes to bed late and does not sleep enough hours, then his immune defense is reduced, the nervous and digestive systems suffer. Professor of the Department of Pediatrics, Head of the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of the MONIKI named following URA.RU told regarding this. M.F. Vladimirsky Elena Meskina. “The hormonal rhythm is of fundamental importance. At night, certain biologically active substances are produced, for example, melatonin, which ensures a restful sleep. And, secondly, it is the interaction with the immune system. If the child does not “sleep out” a certain number of hours and goes to bed following 23, then the biological rhythm of hormone production is disturbed. And this leads to a violation of the immune system, digestion, and the activity of the nervous system. Consequently, he will be excitable, will become less able to learn the training program, get sick more often, and will be susceptible to respiratory infections. And each respiratory infection, in turn, worsens health,” said Elena Meskina. According to her, there is a certain number of hours that a child needs to sleep. “A preschooler should sleep at least 12 hours a day. If he does not have daytime sleep. The child should fall asleep at 21.00 – 22.00 maximum. And the children of the first year of life – at 20.00, ”said the pediatrician. She stressed that sleep is especially important for teenagers and children approaching the age of puberty. “All our hormones are directly related to the activity of our nervous system. They affect blood pressure, hormonal functions, including sex hormones, appetite, obesity, reproductive function, and cardiovascular activity. Tension headaches, increased fatigue – it’s all interconnected. During sleep, hormonal changes occur. Therefore, adolescents, before the onset of sexual development, should basically go to bed on time and do it regularly, ”Meskina explained.