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Sleep disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a comparative study with healthy
1Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam, Israel.
Insights
Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience more sleep disturbances, including insomnia, than their healthy siblings. Methylphenidate treatment did not correlate with sleep issues, suggesting a complex relationship between ADHD and sleep problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Sleep disturbances are frequently reported in children with ADHD, but the exact nature and prevalence require further investigation.
- Understanding sleep patterns in ADHD is crucial for comprehensive patient care and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sleep profiles of children diagnosed with ADHD and their healthy siblings.
- To investigate the prevalence of specific sleep disturbances and disorders in children with ADHD.
- To explore potential correlations between ADHD severity and sleep disturbances.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 13 children with ADHD on methylphenidate and 16 healthy siblings were included.
- Sleep disturbances were assessed using a structured sleep questionnaire.
- ADHD symptom severity was evaluated with the Conners Parents Teachers Rating Scale.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD showed significantly higher rates of single or multiple sleep disturbances compared to healthy siblings.
- Specific sleep disorders, including initial and middle insomnia, were more prevalent in the ADHD group.
- No significant correlation was observed between the severity of ADHD symptoms and the presence of disturbed sleep.
- Sleep duration and overall satisfaction with sleep were comparable between children with ADHD and their siblings.
Conclusions:
- Children with ADHD exhibit a higher burden of sleep disturbances and specific sleep disorders, such as insomnia, irrespective of methylphenidate treatment.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between ADHD and sleep, independent of ADHD symptom severity.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the etiological relationship between ADHD and sleep disturbances.
Abstract:
The sleep profiles of 13 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were treated with a fixed dose of methylphenidate for at least 1 month were compared with those of 16 healthy siblings. Sleep disturbances were assessed according to a structured sleep questionnaire, and the severity of ADHD was evaluated via the Conners Parents Teachers Rating Scale. The results indicated that significantly more children with ADHD demonstrated single or multiple sleep disturbances as well as higher rates of specific sleep disorders, such as initial and middle insomnia, compared with their siblings. No correlation was found between the severity of ADHD and disturbed sleep. Sleep duration and satisfaction with sleep were similar in the two groups. These findings raise important questions regarding the association between ADHD and disturbed sleep.