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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Children's sleep disturbance scale in differentiating neurological disorders
Rony Cohen1, Ayelet Halevy, Avinoam Shuper
1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Pediatric Neurology
|October 2, 2013
Summary
The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) effectively screens for sleep issues in pediatric neurology patients, though it doesn't pinpoint specific neurological causes. It identifies common problems like excessive somnolence and sleep-initiation difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Child Psychology
Background:
- The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) is routinely used in pediatric neurology clinics to assess sleep quality.
- Its utility in detecting sleep disturbances specific to neurological disorders requires analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the SDSC in identifying sleep disturbances in children with specific neurological conditions.
- To compare the prevalence of sleep disorders across different neurological diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- One hundred eighty-six children (ages 2-18) with epilepsy, ADHD, or other diagnoses were evaluated using the SDSC.
- Responses were analyzed to determine the frequency of abnormal sleep scores and specific sleep disorders.
Main Results:
- The overall frequency of abnormal total sleep scores was 26.9%.
- Most common sleep disorders included excessive somnolence, difficulties initiating/maintaining sleep, and arousal/nightmares.
- Sleep-wake transition disorders were more frequent in children with epilepsy (31%).
- No significant differences in total or specific sleep disorder scores were found between diagnostic groups.
Conclusions:
- Sleep disturbances in neurological disorders may stem from nonspecific or environmental factors rather than the primary disease.
- While the SDSC is not informative for disease-specific sleep effects, it is recommended for general screening of sleep disturbances in children with neurological abnormalities.
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