[Sleep disorders in early childhood with chronic somatic conditions and atypical development - with particular reference to Down syndrome].

Abstract

Literature and parental reports suggest that young children with chronic illness or disability, particularly those diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, have a significantly higher prevalence of sleep problems than typically developing children of similar age. In the majority of cases, symptoms have a multifactorial etiology, with the child’s somatic condition, associated neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as relationship characteristics and environmental circumstances, influencing their presentation. In groups of children with chronic illness, atypical developmental trajectories, specific neurological functioning and behavioral phenotypes, sleep disorders are underdiagnosed because it is difficult to separate the child’s illness from the characteristics and consequences of sleep symptoms in the complex symptom picture. For families of children with chronic illnesses or disabilities, the presence of sleep disorders can further complicate adjustment to more challenging life situations and have a significant impact on the well-being and quality of life of the family members. Children with Down syndrome face the challenges of the special needs groups of children that are the focus of our study, where syndrome-specific features, chronic somatic conditions, and structural and functional changes in the nervous system contribute in complex ways to the increased prevalence of sleep-related problems. In addition to early identification of sleep problems, prevention and intervention initiatives in practice can prevent, treat and alleviate a range of short- and long-term negative developmental and behavioral consequences, and contribute to improving the relationship characteristics and quality of life of affected children and their families. Orv Hetil. 2024; 165(36): 1411–1422.