Introduction / Objectives:

To know the magnitude of sleep problem in normal and children with neurological disorders so appropriate service provisions can be planned

Methods:

Questioner based study involving all the children (2-12 years) who attended the Specialist Clinic over period of 3months. BEARS sleep screening questioner was used for all the children with neurological disorders and their age matched normal peers.

Results:

Group – A  (Children with neurological disorders) Total 828 children, 472 male (57%) mean age 5.4 years and 356 female (43%) mean age 5.7 years. Group – B (Age matched normal Children) – Total 873-  471 male (54%) mean age 5.8 years and 402 female (46%) mean age 5.2 years.

Group A – 828 children subdivided with having Epilepsy 385 (46%), ADHD / Behavioral difficulties 187 (23%), Autism 60 (7%) and Cerebral palsy 196 (24%). 502 (61%) of children had one or more sleep related problems.ADHD / behavior group 190 (91%), Cerebral palsy 161 (82 %), Autism 41 (69 %) and Epilepsy 130 (34 %) children had one or more sleep related issues.

Group B – 157 (18%) children had one or more sleep related problems

Compared to any domain in BEARS Group A children’s sleep was significantly affected then Group B.

Results Chart:

Conclusion / Discussion:

Sleep is a major health and well being issue. 61% of children with neurological problem had some sleep problem. Significant level of awareness and support is required for all children and families for sleep issues.