Sleep problems and solution seeking for children with cerebral palsy and their parents

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Sacha Petersen1,2,3,4, Kate L Francis5, Dinah S Reddihough1,2,3

  • 1Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|February 27, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Sleep problems are prevalent in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents. Seeking help for these issues often proves unsuccessful, highlighting a need for better solutions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep problems are frequently observed in school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • Sleep disturbance and deprivation significantly impact affected children and their families.
  • Research addressing sleep issues in pediatric CP is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of sleep problems in children with CP and their parents.
  • To explore parental experiences when seeking healthcare professional assistance for their child's sleep difficulties.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study was conducted.
  • An online survey was distributed to parents/caregivers of children aged 6-12 years with CP.
  • Validated sleep assessment tools and custom questions were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Data from 126 parents/caregivers were analyzed.
  • Nearly half (46%) of parents reported sleep problems in their children.
  • Only 21 out of 64 parents who sought help found it successful; parental sleep issues correlated with child's sleep problems.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep problems are common in children with CP and their parents.
  • Parents may not always seek help, and successful interventions are not guaranteed.
  • Further research is needed to effectively prioritize sleep problem management for children with CP and their families.
Abstract

Keywords:
cerebral palsychildparent sleepsleep

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