Sleep in children with neurodevelopmental disabilities

Neuropediatrics. 2015 Jun;46(3):199-210. doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1550151. Epub 2015 Apr 28.

Abstract

This review describes recent research in pediatric sleep disorders associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) and their treatment. NDDs affect more than 2% of the general population and represent more than 35% of the total cases of children referred to a neuropsychiatric center for sleep problems. Specific clinical and therapeutic aspects of sleep disorders associated with Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorders are described. Furthermore, the drugs commonly used for sleep disorders in children with NDDs are described. The review clearly highlighted that children with NDDs are often affected by sleep disorders that require appropriate clinical and therapeutic approach to improve quality of life in both patients and families.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / complications*
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / classification
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / drug therapy