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Sleep Patterns and Dysfunctions in Children with Learning Problems

Ramkumar Aishworiya1, Po Fun Chan, Jennifer Sh Kiing

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health Systems, Singapore.

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|December 7, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Children with learning problems experience more sleep-disordered breathing and morning sleepiness than typically developing peers. Early screening for these sleep issues is recommended for children with learning difficulties.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Neurology

Background:

  • Learning problems in children are often associated with various health and developmental issues.
  • Sleep disturbances can significantly impact a child's cognitive function and behavior.
  • Understanding sleep patterns in children with learning difficulties is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare sleep patterns and dysfunctions in children with learning problems versus a typically developing population.
  • To identify specific sleep issues that are more prevalent in children with learning challenges.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving parents of children aged 2-6 years.
  • Utilized the validated Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) with 200 children with learning problems and 372 typically developing children.
  • Assessed sleep behaviors, sleep-disordered breathing, and daytime symptoms via parent-reported questionnaires.

Main Results:

  • Children with learning problems showed significantly higher rates of sleep-disordered breathing symptoms (snoring, noisy/difficult breathing).
  • These children also exhibited more irritability upon waking, difficulty getting out of bed, and slower alertness.
  • While daytime drowsiness was less, 15% of children with learning problems had reported sleep problems compared to 9% in the typically developing group.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing and morning sleepiness symptoms are more common in children with learning problems.
  • Daytime lethargy symptoms were comparable between the groups.
  • Routine outpatient screening for sleep issues is recommended for children diagnosed with learning difficulties.
Abstract

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