Free Pediatric Epworth Sleepiness Scale Calculator

What Is the Pediatric Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-CHAD)?

The Pediatric Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-CHAD) is a validated screening questionnaire designed to quantify excessive daytime sleepiness in children and adolescents. By focusing on age‑appropriate scenarios, it provides a reliable child sleepiness test that helps identify young individuals who may need further evaluation for children sleep disorders. Elevated scores on the ESS‑CHAD have been correlated with lower academic achievement, making it a useful tool for both clinical and school‑based adolescent sleep assessment.

Unlike the adult version of the Epworth scale—which includes items such as driving or consuming alcohol—the pediatric version uses eight everyday situations that are relevant to a child’s life. The Pediatric Epworth Sleepiness Scale therefore serves as a focused pediatric sleep scale for screening rather than diagnosis.

How the Questionnaire Works

The ESS‑CHAD consists of eight items, each rated on a 0–3 scale according to the likelihood of dozing off or falling asleep:

• 0 – Would never doze
• 1 – Slight chance (rarely happens)
• 2 – Moderate chance (sometimes happens)
• 3 – High chance (frequently happens)

The eight situations are:

1. Reading while seated
2. Watching television or a video
3. Sitting in a classroom during morning lessons
4. Being a passenger in a car or bus for about 30 minutes
5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon (comfortable conditions)
6. Sitting and talking to someone
7. Sitting quietly after lunch
8. Eating a meal

For each situation, the answer reflects how often the child tends to fall asleep. The total ESS-CHAD score is the sum of all eight responses:

$$\text{ESS-CHAD Score} = \text{Reading} + \text{TV Watching} + \text{Classroom Sitting} + \text{Passenger Ride} + \text{Lying Down} + \text{Talking} + \text{After Lunch} + \text{Eating}$$

Scores range from 0 to 24; the higher the number, the greater the excessive daytime sleepiness in children.

Conditions That May Elevate the Score

A number of medical issues are known to worsen daytime sleepiness and can lead to an abnormal ESS‑CHAD result:

• Obstructive sleep apnea – breathing interruptions during sleep (often linked to enlarged tonsils or excess weight) that fragment sleep and may contribute to hypertension.
• Diabetes – metabolic alterations can disrupt sleep patterns and cause fatigue.
• Depression – mood disorders frequently alter sleep‑wake cycles and are often under‑recognised in younger populations.
• Asthma – nighttime symptoms and breathing difficulties reduce sleep quality.
• Narcolepsy – a neurological condition marked by sudden sleep attacks, cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness), and hallucinations.

It is important to remember that this Pediatric Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a screening aid, not a diagnostic tool. If the score is elevated or if you have any concerns about your child’s sleepiness, please consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment.