Sleep Characteristics Among Children with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: A Polysomnography-Based Study

This study was designed to describe the sleep profile in a cohort of children 5-15 y with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) using polysomnography (PSG) and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The controls included age- and gender-matched healthy controls. A total of 30 cases of IGE and matched 30 controls were enrolled in study. The global CSHQ score [58.8 (10.8) vs. 32.3 (4.1); p < 0.01] and PSQI score [2.4 (1.6) vs. 0.9(0.3); p < 0.01] was significantly higher among children with IGE as compared to controls. REM sleep duration was significantly lower and other parameters including AHI [2.8 (1.9, 4.6) vs. 2.6 (1.3, 2.9); p = 0.04], frequency of arousals [51.5 (36.7, 71.5) vs. 27 (24, 43); p < 0.01], percentage of oxygen desaturation > 4% [23.5 (8, 36.5) vs. 4 (2, 8); p < 0.01], were significantly higher among children with IGE when compared to controls. Children with IGE have sleep disturbances and alteration in sleep architecture. They should be assessed   and screened for sleep characteristics.