Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
06:23

A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice

Published on: September 22, 2020

5.3K

Burden of Sleep Disturbances and Sleep Apnea Risk Among Children with Epilepsy: A Case-Control Study

Ahlam Mazi1,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. amazi@kau.edu.sa.

Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
|May 4, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Children with seizures in Saudi Arabia experience significantly higher rates of sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk compared to healthy children. Early screening for these sleep issues is recommended in pediatric neurology care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are common in children, impacting neurodevelopment and quality of life.
  • Epilepsy in childhood is associated with various comorbidities, including sleep disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of sleep disturbances and OSA risk in Saudi children with seizures versus healthy controls.
  • To identify clinical factors associated with sleep disturbances and OSA in children with epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 83 children with seizures and 167 healthy controls in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • Sleep patterns and OSA risk assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ).
  • Logistic regression analysis used for clinical factor assessment.

Main Results:

  • Children with seizures had a significantly higher prevalence of sleep disturbances (86.7% vs. 21.6%) and OSA risk (34.9% vs. 15.6%).
  • Seizure group exhibited greater impairment in all CSHQ domains, including bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, and daytime sleepiness.
  • Hospital admission and longer sleep duration were associated with sleep disturbance; recent seizure occurrence predicted OSA risk.

Conclusions:

  • Sleep disturbances are substantially more common in Saudi children with epilepsy than in their healthy peers.
  • Routine integration of sleep screening tools is crucial for early identification and management of sleep comorbidities in pediatric neurology.
  • Addressing sleep issues in children with seizures may improve overall health outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
EpilepsyObstructive sleep apneaSeizuresSleep habitsSleep wake disordersSleep-disordered breathing

More Related Videos

Interictal High Frequency Oscillations Detected with Simultaneous Magnetoencephalography and Electroencephalography as Biomarker of Pediatric Epilepsy10:22

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

Published on: December 6, 2016

22.8K
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.8K

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
914
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
47
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
1.7K
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

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...
1.4K
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
2.5K
Narcolepsy01:07

Narcolepsy

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.
891