Children and sleep deprivation?

Question

My mother told me that if I child (under 12 years old) is deprived of sleep for more than 40 solid hours, without a wink of sleep, that they will die.

It is siad to be scientifically impossible for a child to stay awake all day, night and they next day so medical experts claim.
That is why a child can only need 2 hours extra sleep, but find it extremily difficult to make it awake until dawn.

What the F was that all meant to mean?

Answer 1

It is NOT impossible for a child to stay awake all day and night. It probably means the child has ADHD and needs proper treatment. No they wont die and they will fall asleep when the body is ready. HOWEVER a child does the most growing (mentally and physically) when they are asleep. That is why a child needs the most sleep (8-10 hrs each night). A child that dosn't get adequate amounts of sleep will develop learning difficulties as well as growth problems.

Bottem line is: Don't back talk your mommy and you are way to young to be saying "what the F"

Answer 2

Generally good amount of sleep is much needed for all children as it is required for good health and growth. Until the age of 20 or even more, the body growth takes place, and the hormone which makes someone to grow is secreted during sleeping, that means less sleeping will largely affect growth.

Another point on the effects lack of sleeping (not just the children but all people), inadequate sleep can end up developing diseases - the most dangerous one is the myocardial infarction (heart disease). It may not be immediately apparent but it will be developed gradually. There are many diseases was proven as associated to lack of sleep.

True, it is difficult to keep the child awake all day and night, except in cases of extremity.

Answer 3

In general, a person WILL sleep when there body needs it. Therefore, dying due to lack of sleep is not going to happen unless extreme measures are taken to prevent the person for sleeping. This would be, quite literally, torture.

So, if a child is unable to sleep for 40 solid hours, they may have health effects, but it's not a death sentence.

There is no scientific basis to the notion that it's impossible for a child to stay awake for 40 hours. Most will not, of course. But it can and does happen.