Sleep Profiles in Children with Down Syndrome

• Authors: Julia L. Bassell, Emory University; Han Phan, Emory University; Roberta Leu, Emory University; Rebecca Kronk, University of Pittsburgh; Jeannie Visootsak, Emory University
• Journal Title: American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A
• Volume: Volume 167, Number 8
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months | 2015-08-01, Pages 1830-1835
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.37096
• Subjects: Biology, Genetics; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Genetics & Heredity; Down syndrome; obstructive sleep apnea; health screening; SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN; NEUROCOGNITIVE PERFORMANCE; AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION; UNITED-STATES; APNEA; PREVALENCE; MANAGEMENT; DISORDERS; CHILDHOOD; BEHAVIOR

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and results from an extra chromosome 21 (Trisomy 21). Sleep issues and/or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are assumed to be part of the DS phenotype with a high prevalence but are often under recognized. This cross-sectional study of children with DS examines the caregiver-reported sleep behaviors of 108 children with DS, ranging in age from 1.50 to 13.40 years (mean=5.18 years) utilizing a standardized assessment tool, the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ). The CSHQ revealed 76% of children with DS had sleep problems, which began at a young age, and continue to persist and may recur with increasing age. Furthermore, children with DS who undergone adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy for OSA continued to have sleep problems suggesting that ongoing monitoring of sleep issues is needed in this population. Implications of sleep problems and recommended anticipatory guidance and intervention are discussed.