Neuropediatrics 2015; 46(03): 199-210
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1550151
Review Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Marco Angriman
1   Department of Pediatrics, Child Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Central Hospital of Bolzano, Italy
,
Barbara Caravale
2   Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
,
Luana Novelli
2   Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
,
Raffaele Ferri
3   Department of Neurology, I.C., Oasi Institute (IRCCS), Sleep Research Centre, Troina, Italy
,
Oliviero Bruni
2   Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

24 December 2014

31 January 2015

Publication Date:
28 April 2015 (online)

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Abstract

This review describes recent research in pediatric sleep disorders associated with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) and their treatment. NDDs affect more than 2% of the general population and represent more than 35% of the total cases of children referred to a neuropsychiatric center for sleep problems. Specific clinical and therapeutic aspects of sleep disorders associated with Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Prader–Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, Smith–Magenis syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism spectrum disorders are described. Furthermore, the drugs commonly used for sleep disorders in children with NDDs are described. The review clearly highlighted that children with NDDs are often affected by sleep disorders that require appropriate clinical and therapeutic approach to improve quality of life in both patients and families.