Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
04:33
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
614
Sleep problems among Asian preschool children with neurodevelopmental disorders
Mantita Tippawanich1, Lunliya Thampratankul2, Jariya Chuthapisith1
1Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Brain & Development
|October 15, 2024
Summary
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) experience more sleep problems than typically developing children. These sleep issues are linked to behavioral challenges in preschoolers with NDDs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Sleep is crucial for children's behavior, emotional regulation, and cognitive development.
- Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) exhibit a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances compared to their typically developing peers.
- Limited research exists on sleep problems among Thai preschoolers with NDDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sleep problems in Thai preschoolers with NDDs.
- To compare sleep issues in preschoolers with NDDs versus typically developing (TD) children.
- To examine the association between sleep problems and behavioral issues in preschoolers with NDDs.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated sleep problems in 140 children (aged 2-6 years) with NDDs (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, global developmental delay, developmental language disorder) using the Thai version of the Japanese Sleep Questionnaire for Preschoolers (TH-JSQ-P).
- Compared sleep data with 285 TD children.
- Assessed behavioral problems in the NDDs group using the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL).
- Analyzed and compared sleep and behavioral scores, adjusting for age, sex, underlying conditions, and medications.
Main Results:
- 71% of children with NDDs reported sleep problems, compared to 48% of TD children.
- The NDDs group showed significantly higher scores on the TH-JSQ-P, particularly in obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome-motor, parasomnias, daytime behaviors, and insomnia/circadian rhythm disorders.
- A moderate correlation was observed between total TH-JSQ-P scores and both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.
Conclusions:
- Preschool children with NDDs experience sleep problems more frequently than TD children.
- Sleep disturbances in children with NDDs are associated with both internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues in the management of NDDs in young children.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Nightmares and Night Terrors
79
Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
Nightmares...
79
01:15REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
158
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
RBD is significantly associated with...
158
01:24Sleep-Wake Cycles
1.2K
Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
1.2K
01:07Narcolepsy
92
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by pervasive, uncontrolled sleepiness and other sleep disturbances. One of its hallmark symptoms is an abrupt transition to REM sleep upon falling asleep, which causes symptoms typically associated with this phase to occur unexpectedly during wakefulness. These include the following symptoms, which typically last from a minute or two to half an hour.
92
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
134
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
134
01:27Insomnia
79
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Multiple factors contribute...
79