Prevalence of sleep problems in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Zain Ali Nadeem1, Obaid Ur Rehman2, Umar Akram1
1Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Sleep problems affect approximately 26% of children with cerebral palsy (CP), impacting their quality of life. Early detection and targeted interventions are crucial for improving well-being in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CwCP) frequently experience sleep disturbances, negatively impacting their overall health and quality of life.
- There is a lack of comprehensive data regarding the prevalence of specific sleep disorders in CwCP, hindering effective management.
- Recognizing and addressing sleep issues is critical for the well-being of CwCP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the existing literature to determine the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CwCP).
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed across major databases including MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science.
- Studies were selected based on pre-specified eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Pooled proportions of sleep problems in CwCP were calculated using a random effects model with R software (version 4.3.2).
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis included 42 studies, revealing that 26% (95% CI: 17%-37%) of CwCP exhibited abnormal scores on the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC).
- Specific sleep disorder prevalence included disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep (28%), sleep breathing disorders (17%), excessive somnolence (12%), sleep hyperhidrosis (10%), and sleep-wake transition disorders (19%).
- The Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) indicated abnormal scores in 39% (95% CI: 6%-80%) of children, with sensitivity analyses supporting these findings, though some publication bias was observed.
Conclusions:
- Approximately one-quarter of children with cerebral palsy (CwCP) suffer from sleep problems, which can significantly diminish their quality of life.
- Regular sleep assessments and tailored therapeutic interventions are essential to enhance the quality of life for CwCP.
- Addressing sleep disturbances is a key component in the comprehensive care of children with cerebral palsy.
Background:
Children with cerebral palsy (CwCP) often struggle with sleep issues, which has a serious negative influence on their general health and quality of life. There are insufficient data on the prevalence of various sleep disorders, even though recognising and treating them is vital.
Objectives:
Determining the prevalence of sleep disorders in CwCP is the primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
An electronic search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science for all relevant articles using pre-specified eligibility criteria. Pooled proportions of CwCP having sleep problems were calculated in a random effects model using R version 4.3.2.
Results:
The updated systematic review and meta-analysis included 42 studies. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) showed abnormal scores in 26 % (95 % CI: 17 %-37 %) of children with CP. Subscale abnormalities included disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep (28 %), sleep breathing disorders (17 %), excessive somnolence (12 %), sleep hyperhidrosis (10 %), and sleep-wake transition disorders (19 %). The Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) indicated abnormal scores in 39 % (95 % CI: 6 %-80 %) of children. Sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings, though some publication bias was noted in the PSQ outcome.
Conclusion:
About a quarter of CwCP have experienced sleep problems, which may deteriorate their quality of life. In order to improve the quality of life for CwCP, regular sleep examinations and focused therapies are necessary.
