Application of the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) in preschool age

BackgroundThe Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) was originally validated on a sample of healthy children aged 6–16 years, investigating the occurrence of sleep disorders during the previous 6 months.AimsThe aim of this new study was to assess the psychometric properties of the SDSC in an Italian population of preschool children.MethodsThe SDSC was distributed to the primary caregivers of children recruited via nurseries. Letters describing the study design and requesting the co-operation of the caregivers (parents) and co-signed by the investigators and by the head teacher were distributed with the questionnaire and collected by the teachers. Reliability analysis for evaluating internal consistency and item-total correlation coefficients, and factor analysis were performed.ResultsDuring a 12-months study period, 601 questionnaires from healthy preschool age children (range 3–6 years) were collected. SDSC in preschool children showed a good level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.83) and six factors were derived from the factor analysis by using the principal component method of extraction and rotated with the varimax method: Parasomnias, Difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep, Sleep disordered breathing, Disorders of excessive somnolence, Sleep hyperhydrosis and Non-restorative Sleep.ConclusionsThe statistical analysis, the internal consistency and the factor analysis support the use of SDSC as an evaluation tool even at preschool age. A different factorial structure from the original SDSC was found due to a different prevalence of the sleep disturbances in younger children, but with similar cut-off total SDSC score.     

Portuguese Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire - validation and cross-cultural comparison

Objectiveto validate the Portuguese version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ-PT) and compare it to the versions from other countries.Methodsthe questionnaire was previously adapted to the Portuguese language according to international guidelines. 500 questionnaires were delivered to the parents of a Portuguese community sample of children aged 2 to 10 years old. 370 (74%) valid questionnaires were obtained, 55 children met exclusion criteria and 315 entered in the validation study.Resultsthe CSHQ-PT internal consistency (Cronbach's α) was 0.78 for the total scale and ranged from 0.44 to 0.74 for subscales. The test-retest reliability for subscales (Pearson's correlations, n=58) ranged from 0.59 to 0.85. Our data did not adjust to the original 8 domains structure in Confirmatory Factor Analysis but the Exploratory Factor Analysis extracted 5 factors that have correspondence to CSHQ subscales.Conclusionthe CSHQ-PT evidenced psychometric properties that are comparable to the versions from other countries and adequate for the screening of sleep disturbances in children from 2 to 10 years old.     

Does Assessing Sleep Inadequacy Across Its Continuum Inform Associations With Child and Family Health?

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of children experiencing a continuum of inadequate sleep and its associations with child, family, and environmental variables.MethodA secondary analysis of weighted responses of 68,418 parents or caregivers of children aged 6 to 17 years participating in the 2003 National Survey of Children's Health was conducted. Inadequate sleep was categorized as mild, moderate, or severe.ResultsApproximately one third of parents reported their child's sleep inadequacy as mild (18.6%), moderate (6.8%), or severe (5.8%). Age (P < .001), fair/poor health status (P < .001), frequent depressive symptoms (P < .001), and high parental stress (P < .001) demonstrated a progressive relationship from adequate to severe inadequate sleep. Controlling for child, family, and environment variables, parents of children with inadequate sleep were more likely to report frequent child depressive symptoms, high parental stress, and violent family conflict style.DiscussionSleep inadequacy affects 15 million American children, 6 million at a moderate or severe level. Identification of inadequate sleep should prompt further assessment of its associated factors—depressive symptoms, parental stress, and family conflict—for targeted clinical intervention.     

The effect of sleep quality on academic performance is mediated by Internet use time: DADOS study

ObjectiveThe aims of the present study were to analyze the association of sleep patterns with academic and cognitive performance in adolescents, and to test the potential mediating effect of different activities of screen media usage on this association.MethodsA sample of 269 adolescents (140 boys) aged 14 years from the baseline data of the Deporte, ADOlescencia y Salud study completed questionnaires about sleep quality, cognitive performance, and leisure-time sedentary behaviors. Sleep duration was objectively computed using a wrist-worn GENEActiv accelerometer and academic performance was analyzed through school records.ResultsSleep quality (but not sleep duration) was associated with all the academic performance indicators (all p < 0.05). Analysis of covariance revealed higher grades among adolescents with better sleep quality (PSQI ≤ 5; all p < 0.05). These analyses showed no differences regarding cognitive performance. Internet use time was revealed as a mediator of the association between sleep quality and academic performance, being significant for all academic performance indicators (P_M ranging from 15.5% to 16.0%).ConclusionsThe association between sleep quality and academic performance in adolescents is mediated by time of Internet use. Overall, reducing Internet use in adolescents could be an achievable intervention for improving sleep quality, with potentially positive effects on academic performance.     

Parental and self-report of sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of parent-reported and self-reported sleep disturbances in a sample of school-aged children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey questionnaire. SETTING: A multidisciplinary ADHD evaluation clinic in a children's teaching hospital (ADHD sample) and 3 elementary schools in southern New England (control sample). PARTICIPANTS: Forty-six unmedicated, school-aged children (mean age, 89.4 +/- 18.7 months; 74% male) diagnosed as having ADHD by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria who had been screened for marked symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, and 46 normal control children (mean age, 86.5 +/- 16.9 months; 70% male). INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sleep habits and sleep disturbances reported by parents and children. RESULTS: Children with ADHD had significantly higher (more sleep-disturbed) scores on all sleep subscales of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (parent measure) than did controls; average sleep duration as reported by parents was also significantly shorter in the ADHD group. Children with ADHD also reported their own sleep to be more disturbed than controls did on the Sleep Self-report, particularly on items relating to bedtime struggles (P range, .05-.001). There was a much higher correlation between parent and child sleep report items for the children with ADHD (mean correlation, 0.55) than for the control children. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbances, particularly at bedtime, are frequently reported by both parents and children with ADHD. Children undergoing evaluation for ADHD should be routinely screened for sleep disturbances, especially symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing. The causes of sleep-onset delay in children with ADHD should be considered in designing intervention strategies for children with difficulty falling and staying asleep.     

Nocturnal asthma symptoms and poor sleep quality among urban school children with asthma

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe nocturnal asthma symptoms among urban children with asthma and assess the burden of sleep difficulties between children with varying levels of nocturnal symptoms.MethodsWe analyzed baseline data from 287 urban children with persistent asthma (aged 4–10 years) enrolled in the School-Based Asthma Therapy trial; Rochester, New York. Caregivers reported on nocturnal asthma symptoms (number of nights/2 weeks with wheezing or coughing), parent quality of life (Juniper’s Pediatric Asthma Caregivers Quality of Life Questionnaire), and sleep quality by using the validated Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire. We used bivariate and multivariate statistics to compare nocturnal asthma symptoms with sleep quality/quantity and quality of life.ResultsMost children (mean age, 7.5 years) were black (62%); 74% had Medicaid. Forty-one percent of children had intermittent nocturnal asthma symptoms, 23% mild persistent, and 36% moderate to severe. Children's average total sleep quality score was 51 (range, 33–99) which is above the clinically significant cutoff of 41, indicating pervasive sleep disturbances among this population. Sleep scores were worse for children with more nocturnal asthma symptoms compared with those with milder symptoms on total score, as well as several subscales, including night wakings, parasomnias, and sleep disordered breathing (all P < .03). Parents of children with more nocturnal asthma symptoms reported their child having fewer nights with enough sleep in the past week (P = .018) and worse parent quality of life (P < .001).ConclusionsNocturnal asthma symptoms are prevalent in this population and are associated with poor sleep quality and worse parent quality of life. These findings have potential implications for understanding the disease burden of pediatric asthma.     

Are sleep problems under-recognised in general practice?

AIMS: To evaluate the frequency of sleep problems in Australian children aged 4.5-16.5 years, and to determine whether the frequency of sleep problems on questionnaire predicts the reporting of sleep problems at consultation. METHODS: Parents of 361 children (aged 4.5-16.5 years) attending their general practitioner for "sick" visits were asked to assess their child's sleep over the previous six months using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children, from which six sleep "disorder" factors and a total sleep problem score were obtained. RESULTS: The percentage of children with a total sleep problem score indicative of clinical significance (T score >70 or >95th centile) was 24.6% (89/361). Despite this high frequency, parents only addressed sleep problems in 4.1% (13/317) of cases and reported that GPs discussed sleep problems in 7.9% (25/317) of cases. Of the 79 children who reported total sleep problem T scores in the clinical range, only 13.9% (11/79) discussed sleep with their general practitioner within the previous 12 months. Regression analyses revealed an age related decrease in problems with sleep-wake transition and sleep related obstructive breathing; sleep hyperhydrosis, initiating and maintaining sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness did not significantly decrease with age. No significant gender differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that chronic sleep problems in Australian children are significantly under-reported by parents during general practice consultations despite a relatively high frequency across all age groups. Given the impact on children and families, there is a need for increased awareness of children's sleep problems in the community and for these to be more actively addressed at consultation.     

Siesta and sleep patterns in a sample of adolescents in Greece

Background: Sleep behaviors and disturbances in adolescence are being increasingly investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the sleep habits of adolescents living in provincial Greece. Methods: Responses to pre‐constructed questionnaires on sleep habits and disturbances from 471 high‐school students (259 boys; 212 girls), aged 14–18 years, attending four high schools of rural and semi‐urban areas in north‐western Greece, were analyzed. Results: The median nocturnal and total sleep duration was 7.5 h (range, 2.5–11 h) and 8.5 h (range, 2.5–14 h), respectively, and the average bedtime was 23.55 hours. Male students, older adolescents and residents of towns went to bed later than female students, younger adolescents and residents of villages (P = 0.039, P = 0.0003 and P = 0.056, respectively). Siesta on a regular basis was reported by 43% and on an occasional basis by 46% of the students. Siesta median duration was 1.5 h (range 0.5–4.5 h). Daytime sleepiness, difficulties in morning awakening and in falling asleep, and night awakenings were reported by 26.3%, 17.4%, 17.2% and 11.2%, respectively. Students who had siestas reported less daytime sleepiness (P < 0.0001). Significant differences were observed between boys and girls regarding sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Adolescents in provincial Greece present with a different sleep pattern as compared to their northern European peers, characterized by late bedtime and midday siesta. Similarly to their peers in other countries, considerable rates of sleep disturbances were reported.     

Sleep disorders in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Aim: Determine the frequency and predictors of sleep disorders in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Method: Cross-sectional study by postal questionnaire. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (validated on 1157 healthy children). A total sleep score and six sleep disturbance factors representing the most common sleep disorders were computed. Potential associations between pathological scores and personal, medical and environmental factors were assessed. Results: Sixteen of 63 boys (25.4%) had a pathological total sleep score compared with 3% in the general population. The most prevalent sleep disorders were disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS) 29.7%, sleep-related breathing disorders 15.6% and sleep hyperhydrosis 14.3%. On multivariate analysis, pathological total sleep scores were associated with the need to be moved by a carer (OR = 9.4; 95%CI: 2.2–40.7; p = 0.003) and being the child of a single-parent family (OR = 7.2; 95%CI: 1.5–35.1; p = 0.015) and DIMS with the need to be moved by a carer (OR = 18.0; 95%CI: 2.9–110.6; p = 0.002), steroid treatment (OR = 7.7; 95%CI: 1.4–44.0; p = 0.021) and being the child of a single-parent family (OR = 7.0; 95%CI: 1.3–38.4; p = 0.025). Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are frequent in boys with DMD and are strongly associated with immobility. Sleep should be systematically assessed in DMD to implement appropriate interventions.     

The price of pruritus: sleep disturbance and cosleeping in atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disorder that most often begins in infancy. Sleep disturbances in children with atopic dermatitis are likely due to itching and scratching and not only impact the afflicted child but may also affect the entire family. Sleep characteristics in young children with atopic dermatitis and their families have not been thoroughly investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sleep disturbance and cosleeping in young children with atopic dermatitis and evaluate the association between sleep characteristics and features of the disease. DESIGN AND METHODS: Parents of 300 children ranging in age from birth to 6 years with atopic dermatitis responded to 4 questions about sleep characteristics of their child and family. Analyses determined the prevalence of reported sleep disturbance and cosleeping, and their association with features of the patients and disease severity. RESULTS: Sleep disturbance attributed to atopic dermatitis was common; most parents (> 60%) reported that the dermatitis affected how well they or their child slept. Cosleeping because of the skin condition was reported by 30% of families, and most of these parents (66%) were bothered by the cosleeping. Sleep disturbance and cosleeping were directly associated with severity of atopic dermatitis and with the degree to which parents reported that the atopic dermatitis affected the child and family's happiness. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disturbances were more common in children with atopic dermatitis than have been reported in children overall. These results demonstrate important sequelae of a very common childhood condition that warrant further investigation and the development of intervention strategies.     

The relationship between sleep duration and obesity in Turkish children and adolescents

Aim: To determine the relationship between sleep duration and obesity in Turkish children and adolescents.
Methods: This study was conducted in Turkey with 5358 children aged 6 to 17 years. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps skinfold thickness were measured. Body mass index (BMI), arm fat area were calculated. Self-reported sleep duration by parents were obtained.
Results: As sleep duration increased, BMI, which was significantly higher in girls sleeping ≤8 h, decreased (p < 0.05). WC, MUAC, BMI were significantly higher in boys sleeping ≤8 h versus males sleeping ≥10 h. Boys sleeping ≤10 h in 6.0–17.0-years had significantly higher risk of overweight/obesity. In 6.0 to 17.0 years, the risk of overweight/obesity in boys sleeping 9–10 h, 8–9 h and ≤8 h were 1.86-, 1.74- and 2.06-times higher respectively, versus children sleeping ≥10 h (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Sleep duration may be an important factor for obesity and providing ≥10 h of sleep is recommended as a prevention strategy for obesity.     

Parent Perspectives on Sleep and Sleep Habits Among Young Children Living With Economic Adversity

ObjectiveTo examine the perspectives of ethnically diverse, low-income parents of young children regarding sleep, sleep habits, and preferences for sleep promotion for themselves and their children.MethodWe recruited a sample of mothers who had a 15- to 60-month-old child enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutritional Program for Women, Infants and Children in a Northeastern U.S. city. We used a convergent mixed-methods design to conduct semistructured interviews and questionnaires to measure parent sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleep apnea (Berlin Apnea Questionnaire), mood (Centers for Epidemiological Studies of Depression), children's sleep (Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire), and behavior (Child Behavior Checklist).ResultsThirty-two mothers (M age = 30.97 [SD 6.34] years; n = 21 [65%] African American) and children (N = 14 [44% female]; M age =38 [SD 12.63] months) participated. Children's average sleep duration was 10 hr, which is below the recommendation for this age group; overall sleep difficulty was high despite most mothers reporting that their children had normal sleep. Five children had abnormal Child Behavior Checklist scores, suggesting internalizing and externalizing behaviors. More than half of the mothers had poor sleep quality and 24 (75%) were at high risk for sleep apnea. Mothers viewed sleep as important for themselves and their children and identified both effective and ineffective practices to promote sleep, including practices learned from their own families.ConclusionsEthnically diverse mothers who are living with economic adversity value sleep for themselves and their children. The high value placed on sleep, despite misconceptions about normal sleep, suggest opportunities to promote sleep interventions. The content and delivery methods should be tailored to their knowledge, preferences, and cultural practices.     

Physical activity,fatigue and sleep quality at least 6 months after mild traumatic brain injury in adolescents and young adults: A comparison with orthopedic injury controls

ObjectivesTo compare physical activity (PA), fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after mild TBI (mTBI) to persons of similar age after orthopedic injury (OI) on the longer term.SettingFollow-up at least 6 months after visiting the emergency department of one of 2 general hospitals.ParticipantsForty-nine patients aged 12–25 years (mean 18.4 years), diagnosed with mTBI and 54 patients aged 12–25 years (mean 15.8 years) with OI.DesignCross-sectional electronic survey study.Main outcome measuresThe Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents with results dichotomized for meeting/not meeting Dutch Health Enhancing PA recommendations (D-HEPA), the Checklist Individual Strength (range 20–140, low-high) measuring fatigue, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (range 0–21, high-low) measuring sleep quality were administered.ResultsPatients with mTBI less frequently met D-HEPA recommendations than patients with OI (49% vs. 70%; OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.07, 7.72) and reported more concentration-related fatigue problems (mean 19.1 (SD 8.0), mean 13.9 (SD 7.8), respectively; β 3.98, 95%CI 0.39, 7.56), after adjusting for potential confounders, sex, BMI, age and time since injury. No differences were found in sleep quality.ConclusionsIdentifying symptoms and limitations in activities is important after mTBI so that rehabiliation treatment can be initiated. Whether physical activity or fatigue is the best target for treatment remains to be established.     

Four-year follow-up study of sleep and psychiatric symptoms in preadolescents: relationship of persistent and temporary sleep problems to psychiatric symptoms

The course of sleep disturbances in preadolescents was assessed during a 4-year follow-up, and psychiatric problems associated with persistent and temporary sleep problems were investigated in an epidemiological setting. A representative random sample of 1,290 children, their parents, and school teachers filled out various questionnaires when the children were aged 8 and 12 years. Response rates to the relevant items varied between 66.8% and 81.2%. Parental reports of sleep problems decreased from 23.4% to 9.1% during the 4-year period, whereas children's reports remained steady at 18%. Persistent sleep disturbances were found in 12% of children, and 33.3% of sleep problems reported at age 8 were continued. Both current and persistent sleep disturbances were associated with the broad range of mental health problems reported by teachers. However, multivariate modeling suggested that especially current sleep problems were associated with an increased risk for psychiatric problems (odds ratio [OR] 2.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-4.99), particularly emotional problems (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.58-5.38).     

Tic disorders and arousal dysfunction: clinical evaluation of 49 children and adolescents

AIM: Tourette Syndrome (TS) shows a significant comorbidity with obsessive-compulsive disorders, behavioral problems (i.e. attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders) and sleep disturbances. Several studies showed that sleep problems are common in TS patients affecting 12% to 62% of patients. Aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between tics, sleep disorders and behavioral disturbances. METHODS: Fourty-nine consecutive children and adolescents with tics have been studied by the following procedure: a) the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was administered in order to establish the severity of tics; b) the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate behavioural disturbances; c) the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) was filled out in order to assess the presence of sleep disorders. An age-matched control group was used for comparison. RESULTS: All patients (either TS or non-TS) showed a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances versus the control group. Sleep-wake transition disorders (SWTD) were the most frequent sleep disturbances found in our sample, followed by disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep (DIMS). These latter sleep disturbances were highly correlated with the severity of tics. Internalization problems, anxiety/depression and attention and thinking problems were very frequent in our sample. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between internalization problems and DIMS and also between aggressive behaviour and respiratory disturbances during sleep (RDS). CONCLUSION: The results obtained seem to confirm the literature reports on the strict relationship between tics and sleep disturbances, mainly SWTD, and further support the hypothesis of a dysfunction of arousal mechanism in TS.     

Study of the association between 3111T/C polymorphism of the CLOCK gene and the presence of overweight in schoolchildren

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between 3111T/C polymorphism of the CLOCK gene and the presence of obesity and sleep duration in children aged 6‐13 years. In adults, this genetic variant has been associated with duration of sleep, ghrelin levels, weight, and eating habits. Although short sleep duration has been linked to obesity in children, no study has aimed to identify the possible molecular mechanisms of this association to date.MethodsWeight, height, and circumferences were transformed into Z‐scores for age and gender. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan methodology. A questionnaire regarding hours of sleep was provided to parents. The appropriate statistical tests were performed.ResultsThis study evaluated 370 children (45% males, 55% females, mean age 8.5 ± 1.5 years). The prevalence of overweight was 18%. The duration of sleep was, on average, 9.7 hours, and was inversely related to age (p < 0.001). Genotype distribution was: 4% CC, 31% CT, and 65% TT. There was a trend toward higher prevalence of overweight in children who slept less than nine hours (23%) when compared to those who slept more than ten hours (16%, p = 0.06). Genotype was not significantly correlated to any of the assessed outcomes.ConclusionsThe CLOCK 3111T/C polymorphism was not significantly associated with overweight or sleep duration in children in this city.     

Cross-sectional study on the sleep status and risk factors for sleep problems in infants and young children in Jilin Province北大核心CSCD

目的 了解吉林省婴幼儿睡眠状况及睡眠问题发生的危险因素。 方法 选取吉林省8个地级市和1个自治州的1 080例0~3岁的健康婴幼儿作为研究对象。采用自制调查问卷收集研究对象的一般资料,采用简明婴幼儿睡眠问卷了解婴幼儿睡眠情况,并应用多因素logistic回归分析探讨睡眠问题发生的危险因素。 结果 婴幼儿睡眠问题的总检出率为38.24%（413/1 080）。4~11月龄、12~24月龄、25~36月龄组睡眠总时长均高于推荐睡眠总时长（P<0.05）。多因素logistic回归分析显示,足月出生、主要监护人文化程度较高、白天活动强度较大是婴幼儿睡眠问题的保护因素（P<0.05）,而服用维生素D频次较低、夜间喂养频繁和母亲打鼾是睡眠问题发生的危险因素（P<0.05）。 结论 吉林省4月龄以上婴幼儿睡眠总时长均高于推荐睡眠总时长,但睡眠问题发生率较高。睡眠问题的发生与多种因素有关;加强对早产儿的随访,对主要监护人进行婴幼儿睡眠知识宣教,坚持规律地补充维生素D,有利于减少婴幼儿睡眠问题的发生。     

Sleep habits, parasomnias and associated behaviors in school children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Considerable clinical data support an association between sleep problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to investigate the sleep habits, associated parasomnias and behavioral symptoms in primary school children with ADHD. Forty primary school children with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and 40 age-sex-matched healthy community controls were recruited. The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire providing information regarding sleep habits and nighttime and daytime symptoms was used. About 22% of children with ADHD (versus 2.9% of the controls) needed their parents to accompany them while going to sleep (p: 0.008). Transitional objects were needed by 8.1% of ADHD children in contrast to 2.9% of controls. Nightmares, overactivity during sleep, habitual snoring, and bed-wetting were significantly higher in the ADHD group. ADHD children needed significantly more time to go to sleep on school days (p < 0.02). Children undergoing evaluation for ADHD should be routinely screened for sleep disturbances.