What common pediatric sleep disorder is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep?

The correct choice identifies insomnia, a common pediatric sleep disorder that involves difficulties with initiating or maintaining sleep. In children, insomnia can present as trouble falling asleep at bedtime, frequent awakening during the night, or waking up too early and being unable to return to sleep. This disorder can be caused by various factors such as anxiety, stress, irregular sleep schedules, or even environmental influences.

Insomnia is particularly significant in the pediatric population due to its potential effects on behavior, mood, and overall functioning, operating as a barrier to the restorative benefits of sleep that are crucial for growth and development. Addressing insomnia often involves behavioral interventions, improving sleep hygiene, and, in some cases, identifying any underlying medical or psychological issues that may contribute to the sleep disturbance.

Other conditions listed, such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and parasomnia, present with different symptoms and impact on sleep. Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, sleep apnea involves breathing interruptions during sleep, and parasomnias include unusual behaviors or experiences while sleeping, such as sleepwalking or night terrors. While these conditions also affect sleep, they do not specifically center around the challenges of falling asleep or staying asleep in the same manner as insomnia.