KATHAMNDU, MAR 14 - Little children are forced to hit the deck as early as 5 in the morning, or else they miss the bus. This is the ordeal children are facing every day.

This rush causes sleep deprivation, putting children at risk of various health problems.

Five-year-old Rahul has to be ready by 8:30 in the morning to catch his school bus. His working parents do not want to send him to school so early, but there’s no way out. “I’m afraid he has sleep deprivation problems, though I try my best to put him to bed as early as possible,” says Rahul’s mother.

Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi says children should sleep 8 to 10 hours a day. Lack of sleep, according to the cardiologist, causes stress, thereby affecting physiology of the body. Sleep deprivation also puts children at the risk of hypertension, diabetes, uric acid and other health conditions, points Dr. Regmi. “Like smoking, obesity, sleep deprivation is a factor that increases the risk of heart disease.”

Schools have their own share of problems. Most schools start at 9 in the morning. Schools say they have to pick children earlier in view of Kathmandu Valley’s chaotic traffic.

Rajesh Khadka, President of Private and Boarding Schools’ Organisation Nepal (PABSON), says congested traffic forces them to start classes earlier.  “Due to busy traffic on the streets, it’s very difficult to pick up the students.”

Studies have proved that sleep deprivation has severe consequences on children.

Research by Dr. Xinachen Lui of University of Pittsburg presented at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies Meeting 2007 states that sleep deprivation in children can increase their risk of participating in anti-social behaviours such as smoking and drinking as well as poor grades.

Posted on: 2010-03-14 08:22

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