Open AccessChild and parental sleep in young children with epilepsy: A population‐based case‐control study
Author(s) -
Reilly Colin,
Atkinson Patricia,
Memon Ayesha,
Jones Chloe,
Dabydeen Lyvia,
Cross J. Helen,
Das Krishna B.,
Gillberg Christopher,
Neville Brian G.R.,
Scott Rod C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
epilepsia open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.247
H-Index - 16
ISSN - 2470-9239
DOI - 10.1002/epi4.12241
Subject(s) - epilepsy , pittsburgh sleep quality index , sleep (system call) , population , psychology , sleep disorder , medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , sleep quality , insomnia , environmental health , computer science , operating system
Summary Objective To determine the prevalence of parent‐reported sleep problems in young children with epilepsy and their parents, and to compare findings with those in a non–epilepsy‐related neurodisability (neurodevelopmental/neurological difficulties) group. Method Parents of young children (1–7 years) with epilepsy (n = 48 [91% ascertainment]) completed the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire ( CSHQ ). Parents (mothers and fathers) also completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ( PSQI ) and the Iowa Fatigue Scale ( IFS ) in relation to their own functioning. The responses of parents of children with epilepsy were compared with parents of developmental‐, age‐, and gender‐matched children with nonepilepsy‐related neurodisability (n = 48). Results There was not a significant difference in the proportion of children with epilepsy and the children with neurodisability scoring in the at‐risk range on the CSHQ (81% vs. 71% respectively) (p = 0.232). 62% of mothers and 44% of fathers of children with epilepsy had ‘poor quality sleep’ on the PSQI ; there was not a significant difference between mothers of children with epilepsy and those of children with neurodisability (p = 0.526) or IFS (p = 0.245) total scores. However, mothers of children with epilepsy had significantly more difficulties on the productivity subscale of the IFS (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences between fathers’ scores on either measure. In the epilepsy group, child behavioral problems (p = 0.001) were independently associated with child sleep difficulties and maternal mental health problems were associated with parental sleep difficulties (p = 0.04) and fatigue (p = 0.018). Significance Young children with epilepsy and their parents have a high rate of sleep difficulties. There is a need to develop effective interventions for this population, taking into consideration of the role of child behavioral problems and parental mental health difficulties.