Sleep disorders in Down syndrome: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Background: Sleep disorders are commonly observed in children with Down syndrome (DS) and can lead to significant behavioral and cognitive morbidities in these individuals. Objective: To perform a systematic review evaluating sleep disorders in individuals with DS. Methods: Search strategies were based on combinations of keywords: “Down syndrome”; “trisomy 21”; “sleep disorders”; “dyssomnias”; “sleep apnea”; “obstructive”; “sleeplessness”; “insomnia”; “parasomnias”; and “excessive daytime sleepiness”. PubMed and Science Direct were used. Only original studies and retrospective reviews in English published between January 2011 and March 2021 were included. Results: 52 articles were included, most of them involving children and adolescents under 18 years of age. The main sleep disorder associated with DS was obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Some studies reported the presence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with DS and sleep-disordered breathing, and few have been found about parasomnia, insomnia, and daytime sleepiness in these patients. Movement disorders and unusual postures during sleep may be related to disordered sleep breathing in DS. The main treatment options for OSA are continuous positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP), surgery, and weight control. Computational modeling associated with MRI has been used to plan surgical interventions in these patients. Conclusions: Individuals with DS are at high risk of developing sleep-related breathing disorders. The main sleep disorder associated with DS was OSA. The presence of sleep-disordered breathing contributes to a worsening of cognitive function in patients with DS.

RESUMO

Antecedentes: Os distúrbios do sono são comumente observados em crianças com síndrome de Down (SD) e podem levar a morbidades comportamentais e cognitivas significativas nesses indivíduos. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão sistemática para avaliar os distúrbios do sono em indivíduos com SD. Métodos: As estratégias de busca foram baseadas em combinações de palavras-chave: “Síndrome de Down”; “trissomia 21”; “distúrbios do sono”; “dissonias”; “apneia do sono”; “obstrutivo”; “insônia”; “insônia”; “parassonias” e “sonolência diurna excessiva”. PubMed e Science Direct foram usados. Apenas estudos originais e revisão retrospectiva de prontuários escritos em inglês e publicados de janeiro de 2011 a março de 2021 foram incluídos. Resultados: Foram selecionados 52 artigos, a maioria com crianças e adolescentes menores de 18 anos. O principal distúrbio do sono associado à SD foi a apneia obstrutiva do sono (AOS). Alguns estudos relatam a presença de disfunção cognitiva em pacientes com SD e distúrbios respiratórios do sono, e poucos foram encontrados sobre parassonia, insônia e sonolência diurna nesses pacientes. Distúrbios do movimento e posturas incomuns durante o sono podem estar relacionados ao distúrbio respiratório do sono na SD. As principais opções de tratamento para AOS são pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas (CPAP), abordagem cirúrgica e controle de peso. A modelagem computacional associada à ressonância magnética tem sido usada para planejar intervenções cirúrgicas nesses pacientes. Conclusões: Indivíduos com SD apresentam alto risco de desenvolver distúrbios respiratórios relacionados ao sono. O principal distúrbio do sono associado à SD foi a AOS. A presença de distúrbios respiratórios do sono contribui para a piora das funções cognitivas em pacientes com SD.

Keywords:

Down Syndrome - Sleep Wake Disorders - Sleep Apnea Syndromes

Palavras-chave:

Síndrome de Down - Transtornos do Sono-Vigília - Síndromes da Apneia do Sono

Authors’ contributions:

RAS, LHC, RCL: served as scientific advisors, collected data, and participated in the writing or technical editing of the manuscript; MPH: served as scientific advisor and critically reviewed the study proposal; FMSC, GPO: served as scientific advisors, critically reviewed the study proposal, and participated in the writing or technical editing of the manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 22 June 2021

Accepted: 05 August 2021

Article published online:
06 February 2023

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