RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sleep problems in a Down syndrome population
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 308
OP 310
DO 10.1136/adc.2008.146845
VO 94
IS 4
A1 M Carter
A1 E McCaughey
A1 D Annaz
A1 C M Hill
YR 2009
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/94/4/308.abstract
AB Objective: To determine the prevalence of sleep problems in children with Down syndrome.Design and setting: A community prevalence study in a child population of 100 000 in England.Participants: 58 children with Down syndrome aged to 0.65–17.9 years (mean 8.6 years).Interventions: Child sleep Habits Questionnaire.Results: Compared to published data for typically developing populations, children with Down syndrome were reported to have significantly greater bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, night waking, parasomnias, sleep disordered breathing and day-time sleepiness. Amongst children 4 years and older, 66% rarely fell asleep in their own beds, 55% were always restless during sleep and 40% usually woke at least once during the night. Importantly, 78% seemed tired during the day at least 2 days per week, suggesting inadequate sleep.Conclusions: Parents report universal sleep problems in school aged children with Down syndrome. Paediatricians should routinely enquire about sleep behaviour in these children.