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Sleep and circadian disturbances in children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Oliviero Bruni1, Maria Breda2, Valeria Mammarella2

  • 1Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. oliviero.bruni@uniroma1.it.

Nature Reviews. Neurology
|January 8, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Sleep disturbances are common in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), impacting brain function and behavior. Addressing these sleep issues is vital for improving developmental outcomes and quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Sleep is critical for neurodevelopment and overall health in children.
  • Sleep disruptions in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) can affect brain structure, function, and behavior.
  • Common NDDs include autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and genetic syndromes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the prevalence, types, and mechanisms of sleep disturbances in children with NDDs.
  • To explore the links between sleep problems and internalizing/externalizing symptoms.
  • To highlight challenges in assessing sleep in this population and suggest future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature on sleep disturbances in pediatric NDDs.
  • It examines common sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-related breathing disorders, and parasomnias.
  • The review considers genetic, neurobiological, environmental, and neurophysiological factors contributing to sleep issues.

Main Results:

  • Sleep disturbances are prevalent in children with NDDs and manifest as insomnia, night awakenings, and sleep fragmentation.
  • These sleep problems are associated with increased anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, and aggression.
  • Assessment is challenging due to communication difficulties, comorbidities, and altered sensory processing.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the complex interplay between sleep and neurodevelopment is crucial for children with NDDs.
  • Further research, including longitudinal studies and biomarker identification, is needed.
  • Effective management of sleep disturbances can significantly improve developmental trajectories and quality of life.

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