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Sleep disorders and their clinical significance in children with Down syndrome

Gregory Stores1, Rebecca Stores2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|September 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbances are common in children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Identifying and treating the underlying causes is crucial for improving the child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances are prevalent in children with developmental disorders, including Down syndrome.
  • Understanding these sleep issues is vital for overall child development and well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current findings on sleep disorders in children with Down syndrome.
  • To compare these findings with sleep disorders in the general pediatric population and other developmental disabilities.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted.
  • Key areas reviewed include adverse effects, types, etiology, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sleep disturbances.

Main Results:

  • Children with Down syndrome experience common sleep problems like insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • Multiple factors contribute to sleep disturbances, including physical/psychiatric comorbidities and medication side effects.

Conclusions:

  • Routine screening for sleep disorders in children with Down syndrome is recommended.
  • Management requires addressing the multifactorial causes for successful treatment and improved quality of life for the child and family.
Abstract

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