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The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
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Sleep and sensory characteristics in young children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Tiffany Wengel1, Ana C Hanlon-Dearman, Brenda Fjeldsted

  • 1University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|June 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience significant sleep disturbances, including bedtime resistance and night awakenings. Sensory processing deficits in these children are linked to these sleep problems, suggesting a need for targeted interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure, characterized by significant impairments.
  • Sleep disruption is a common, yet understudied, symptom of FASD, negatively impacting child health, adaptive functioning, and family well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize sleep patterns in children with FASD.
  • To investigate the influence of sensory processing difficulties on sleep in children with FASD.

Main Methods:

  • Compared children with FASD (3-6 years) to age-matched typically developing controls.
  • Assessed sleep using actigraphy, sleep logs, and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire.
  • Evaluated sensory processing via the Sensory Profile™ and correlated findings with sleep parameters.

Main Results:

  • Children with FASD exhibited significantly more sleep disturbances than controls, including bedtime resistance, shorter sleep duration, sleep anxiety, and increased night awakenings.
  • Actigraphy confirmed significant differences in sleep onset latency between the groups.
  • Widespread sensory processing deficits were identified in children with FASD.

Conclusions:

  • Sensory processing deficits are prevalent in children with FASD and are associated with numerous sleep problems.
  • Screening for sleep disorders and occupational therapy for sensory-based interventions are recommended for children with FASD to improve sleep regulation.
Abstract

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