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Cerebral Palsy

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Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

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Abstract

In the present chapter we provide an overview of sleep disorders in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Sleep disorders are more frequent in CP than in typically developing children with a prevalence varying from 19% to 63% according to different studies. The etiology is multifactorial, with anatomical factors, epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs, the severity of motor and cognitive impairment, and the presence of behavioral problems all frequently involved. Screening questionnaires, polysomnography, and actigraphy represent the principal instruments to assess general and specific sleep disorders in CP. Although no sleep interventions or trials specifically designed for sleep disorders in children with CP are reported in the literature, sleep hygiene and/or specific pharmacologic treatments such as melatonin can be considered helpful for disturbed sleep in children with CP. Because of the presence of sleep disorders influence the quality of life of all the family, a correct diagnosis and treatment could improve not only the health of the child but of all the caregivers.

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Abbreviations

CP:

Cerebral palsy

CSHQ:

Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire

DIMS:

Disorders of initiation and maintenance of sleep

EDS:

Excessive daytime sleepiness

EEG:

Electroencephalogram

GMFCS:

Gross Motor Function Classification System

NDDs:

Neurodevelopmental disabilities

OSA:

Obstructive sleep apnea

PSG:

Polysomnography

PSQ:

Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire

QOL:

Quality of life

REM:

Rapid eye movement

SDB:

Sleep-disordered breathing

SDSC:

Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children

SWTD:

Sleep-wake transition disorders

TD:

Typically developing

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Neurology Unit, Policlinico Gemelli, Catholic University, Rome, Italy

    Eugenio Mercuri & Domenico M. Romeo

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  1. Eugenio Mercuri
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  2. Domenico M. Romeo
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA

    Jennifer A. Accardo

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Mercuri, E., Romeo, D.M. (2019). Cerebral Palsy. In: Accardo, J. (eds) Sleep in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disabilities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98414-8_13

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