Last modified: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Background: Sleep disorders in children lead to behavioural problems, inattention and learning problems, especially in children with static encephalopathies. There is scant data regarding prevalence and spectrum of sleep disorders in these children.
Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional observational study. Children aged 1-14 years with static encephalopathy included. Sleep disorders were evaluated using Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC)
Results: 98 children included: mean age (months) was 60.65 (SD ± 37.08, range 14-180); 62 were males (63%). The severity of motor disability (GMFCS): level 5 in 42, level 4 in 6, level 3 in 15, level 2 in 20, and level 1 in 15 children. The comorbidities were: Epilepsy (53 cases) and vision impairment (26 cases). The mean SDSC score of study subjects was 15.62 (SD ± 5.19; range 7-29). Thirty nine children (39.7%) had at least one sleep disorder: disorders of initiation and maintenance in 37, sleep breathing disorder in one, disorder of arousal in 4, disorders of sleep wake transition in 11, disorder of excessive somnolence in 1, and sleep hyperhidrosis in none. Fifteen children had ³ 2 sleep disorders. Twenty four of 42 children (57%) with GMFCS level 5 had sleep disorder compared to children with lower level disability (15/56, 26.7%), which was statistically significant (p=0.002). But, presence of epilepsy (25/53 Vs 14/45, p=0.16) and vision impairment (13/26 Vs 26/72, p=0.12) had no significant association with sleep disorder.
Conclusions: High prevalence of sleep disorders (40%) in children with static encephalopathies. They are higher in children with GMFCS level 5