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Published on: April 22, 2015
Sleep Disorders and the Influence of Maternal Age in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective
Marília Barbosa de Matos1, Paulo B N Liberalesso2, Tiago S Bara3
1Division of Neurorehabilitation of Veruno Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Via per Revislate, 13, 28013, Gattico-Veruno, Italy.
Insights
Sleep disorders are common in young autistic children, with insomnia being the most frequent. Advanced maternal age is a significant predictor of these sleep issues in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting social interaction and communication.
- Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with ASD, impacting their development and quality of life.
- Understanding the prevalence and predictors of sleep disorders in young autistic children is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of clinically diagnosed sleep disorders in preschool-aged autistic children in Brazil.
- To identify clinical and demographic factors associated with sleep disorders in this population.
- To investigate the specific association between maternal age and sleep disturbances in young children with ASD.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed records of autistic children under 60 months from a Brazilian pediatric neurology department (2008-2015).
- Data included demographic, perinatal, and clinical variables; sleep disorders were classified using DSM-5 criteria.
- Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors, with maternal age analyzed continuously and categorically.
Main Results:
- Nearly 60% of the 93 autistic children studied presented with at least one sleep disorder, most commonly insomnia (33.33%).
- Advanced maternal age (≥35 years) was significantly associated with increased odds of sleep disorders (AOR=1.20) and insomnia (AOR=1.13).
- Neonatal intensive care unit admission was also associated with insomnia in bivariate analyses.
Conclusions:
- Sleep disorders, especially insomnia, are highly prevalent in preschool-aged children with autism.
- Maternal age at delivery is an independent predictor of sleep disturbances in children with ASD.
- These findings underscore the need for early sleep screening in autistic children and suggest maternal age as a factor influencing sleep outcomes.
Purpose:
This study investigated the prevalence of clinically diagnosed sleep disorders in young autistic children at a single-center in Brazil and identified associated clinical and demographic factors.
Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using records from a pediatric neurology department in southern Brazil (January 2008 to January 2015). The study included autistic children aged < 60 months. Data on demographic, perinatal, and clinical variables were extracted, with maternal age analyzed continuously and categorically (age ≥ 35 years). Sleep disorders were classified according to DSM-5 criteria. Associations were examined through bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression.
Results:
Among 93 participants (mean age 33.26 months; 62.37% male), 59.14% had at least one sleep disorder. Insomnia was the most prevalent (33.33%), followed by confusional arousals (11.83%). In bivariate analysis, advanced maternal age was significantly associated with sleep disorders (p = 0.028). Multivariable analysis confirmed maternal age as an independent predictor of sleep disorders (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06-1.35; p = 0.003) and of insomnia (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.01-1.26; p = 0.029). For insomnia, neonatal intensive care unit admission (p = 0.028) and maternal age (p = 0.026) were significantly associated in bivariate analyses.
Conclusion:
Sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, are highly prevalent in preschool-aged autistic children. Maternal age at delivery emerged as an independent predictor of sleep disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of early screening and suggest that maternal age may contribute to variability in sleep outcomes among children with ASD.
