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Sleep disorders in children with epilepsy.

M Furones García¹, J J García Peñas¹, E González Alguacil¹

¹Hospital Niño Jesús. Departamento de Neurología, Madrid, Spain.

|February 2, 2024

Summary

Sleep disorders and poor sleep habits are highly prevalent in children with epilepsy, affecting over 80% of patients. Addressing these issues can improve quality of life and epilepsy prognosis.

Keywords:

Behavioural insomnia Co-sleeping Colecho Epilepsia Epilepsy Insomnio conductual Neurodesarrollo Neurodevelopment Sleep Sleep disorders Sueño Trastornos de sueño

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Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

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Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy

Published on: December 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Pediatric Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Epileptology

Background:

Children with epilepsy exhibit a higher prevalence of sleep disorders compared to the general population.
The relationship between epilepsy and sleep disorders is bidirectional, underscoring the importance of diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the incidence of sleep disorders and poor sleep habits in pediatric epilepsy patients.
To investigate the association between epilepsy characteristics and sleep disturbances.

Main Methods:

A cross-sectional study involving 153 pediatric patients with epilepsy.
Sleep disorders were assessed using the Spanish version of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC).
Sleep habits were evaluated using an original questionnaire.

Main Results:

Eighty-four percent of children with epilepsy experienced sleep alterations, most commonly sleep-wake transition disorders (53%), sleep initiation/maintenance disorders (47.7%), and daytime sleepiness (44.4%).
Despite parental reports of good sleep, objective findings revealed sleep disorders in up to 75.7% of cases.
Poor sleep habits, including electronic device use in bed and co-sleeping, were common. Generalised, refractory, or nocturnal epilepsy, and intellectual disability were linked to higher rates of sleep disorders.

Conclusions:

Sleep disorders and poor sleep habits are prevalent in children with epilepsy.
Intervention for these sleep issues can enhance patient and family quality of life.
Improving sleep may positively impact epilepsy prognosis.