Question
An 18-month-old child cries and disturbs sleep every night, takes shorter naps during the day, and shows no obvious symptoms otherwise. The child has had crying episodes since 6 months old, and previous trace element tests have shown calcium and iron deficiencies. We hope to understand the possible causes and receive corresponding assistance.
Answer
A child’s restless sleep at night may be due to a decrease in blood calcium levels, leading to increased excitability in the brain and the autonomic nervous system. This may require supplementation of calcium and vitamin D. If there is a calcium deficiency, the child’s fontanel may close improperly; if there is a zinc deficiency, ulcers may appear at the corners of the mouth. Suggestions: Overeating, indigestion, gastrointestinal discomfort, or eating too much at night may also cause disturbances in deep sleep. It is recommended to stop feeding solid foods such as congee and noodles 2 to 3 hours before bedtime, and give the child a little milk before going to sleep.