Umeh gave the advice in an interview in Lagos.
``Deep sleep is an important factor at the onset of puberty; therefore, it is extremely important to be sure that adolescents are getting an adequate amount of sleep time per night.
``The changes which affect girls and boys throughout puberty are actually prompted by occurrences in the brain, and the brain needs deep sleep most times.
`` The brain is responsible for controlling the onset of puberty and deep sleep is the key to jump-start puberty, not just sleep in general,`` he said.
The consultant also advised parents to treat their children for sleep disorder and ensure that they regularly engage in deep sleep.
According to him, a child can go through different types of sleep disorder, which parents need to treat in order not to affect the puberty stage.
``Puberty may start between the ages of 8 and 13 for females and 9 and 14 for males.
``What causes sleep disorder may include: night fright, addiction to television, non-conducive sleeping environment, and school’s homework.
`` If your child experiences night terrors, make sure he or she is comfortable, but do not wake the child up. In extreme cases, night terrors may require medical intervention.
`` The problem of sleep anxiety may be caused by stressful events or trauma, this type of sleep problem is most common among older elementary school children,” he said.
Umeh said, ``Intervention strategies include reassurance, calming bedtime routines, and, in some cases, cognitive-behavioural therapy.
“This is designed to help children to develop effective coping strategies to address their worries.
`` It is extremely important to try to keep children and adolescents on regular sleeping patterns, especially when they are on the threshold of puberty.”
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