An investigation of sleep characteristics, EEG abnormalities and epilepsy in developmentally regressed and non-regressed children with autism.
This study investigated sleep of children with autism and developmental regression and the possible relationship with epilepsy and epileptiform abnormalities. Participants were 104 children with autism (70 non-regressed, 34 regressed) and 162 typically developing children (TD). Results suggested that the regressed group had higher incidence of circadian rhythm disorders than non-regressed children. The regressed group showed higher Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Onset Delay, Sleep Duration and Night-Wakings scores. Epilepsy and frequent epileptiform EEG abnormalities were more frequent in regressed children. Past sleep disorders and a history of developmental regression were significantly associated with sleep disorders. This study is an initial step in better understanding sleep problems in regressed children with autism, further studies are necessary to better investigate these aspects.
Giannotti
Flavia
F
Department of Developmental Neurology & Psychiatry, Center of Pediatric Sleep Disorders, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. flavia.giannotti@uniroma1.it
Cortesi
Flavia
F
Cerquiglini
Antonella
A
Miraglia
Daniela
D
Vagnoni
Cristina
C
Sebastiani
Teresa
T
Bernabei
Paola
P
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology