title: Sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy: neurodevelopmental and behavioral correlates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to estimate the frequency of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and to evaluate the relations between sleep disorders and motor, cognitive, and behavioral problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty-five children with CP ages 6-16 years (mean age, 11years) were assessed using the SDSC, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL) to assess sleep, motor, cognitive, and behavioral problems, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An abnormal total sleep score was found in 19% of children with CP; more than 40% of children had an abnormal score on at least one SDSC factor. The SDSC total score was significantly associated (P<.01) with mental retardation, epilepsy, CBCL scores, and level 5 on the GMFCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm that sleep disorders are common in children with cerebral palsy. The relationship between motor and cognitive behavior and epilepsy should be further explored to better understand how these factors influence one another to identify effective treatments and to improve the well-being of the child.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brogna
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quintiliani
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurology Unit, C. Besta Neurological Institute Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baranello
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurology Unit, C. Besta Neurological Institute Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pagliano
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurology Unit, C. Besta Neurological Institute Foundation, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Casalino
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sacco
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallardi
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sivo
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cota
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.affiliation: Centre for Pediatric Sleep Disorders, Department of Social and Developmental Psychology - Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Oliviero
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mercuri@rm.unicatt.it.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mercuri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D057189:Checklist; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014888:Wechsler Scales
keywords: Behavioral problems; Cerebral palsy; Cognitive function; Motor function; Neurodevelopment; Sleep disorders