Topical Review: A Biopsychosocial Framework for Pediatric Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia.

Objective: Provide an overview of current research findings in pediatric central disorders of hypersomnolence (CDH) and propose a biopsychosocial model for clinical management, with a focus on interdisciplinary care and future directions for research and clinical practice.

Methods: Literature review drawing from pediatric and adult narcolepsy, as well as pediatric sleep and chronic pain research to develop an integrative biopsychosocial model for pediatric CDH.

Results: Youth with CDH are vulnerable to impairments in academics, emotional, and behavioral functioning, activity engagement and quality of life (QOL). There is a complex interrelationship between neurobiological features of disease, treatment-related factors, and psychological, sleep-related, and contextual factors across development. Research is limited largely to adults and pediatric narcolepsy type 1 and the mechanisms and evolution of morbidity remain poorly understood.

Conclusions: In addition to first-line treatment (pharmacotherapy), routine screening of bio-behavioral and psychosocial functioning and QOL is needed to identify risk for compromised functioning warranting adjunctive interventions with behavioral health specialists.