Restless nights and restless minds: prevalence of sleep disorders in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Mona P. Gajre; Aditi V. Dandawate; Rutuja Tere; Niyati Trivedi

doi:10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260820

Authors

Mona P. Gajre Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Aditi V. Dandawate Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Rutuja Tere Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Niyati Trivedi Department of Pediatrics, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20260820

Keywords:

Sleep, Children, ADHD

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of sleep disorders in India ranges from 40-50% whereas its prevalence in developed countries is 10-40%. Prevalence of sleep disturbances in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is 25-55%. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of sleep disorders among children, with ADHD and without ADHD (neurotypicals).

Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study, 40 children (mean age 10.9±0.8 years, 85% males) diagnosed as having ADHD by the diagnostic and statistical manual, fifth edition (DSM-5), and 40 neurotypicals (mean age 10.3±0.3 years, 80% males), were screened for sleep disorders by using the BEARS questionnaire.

Results: Children with ADHD had a greater prevalence of sleep disorders as compared to controls, facing most issues with sleep onset.

Conclusions: Sleep disorders have a cause-and-effect relationship with ADHD; hence it is imperative to screen for them while evaluating a child.

References

Bharti B, Malhi P, Kashyap S. Patterns and problems of sleep in school going children. Indian Pediatr. 2006;43(1):35-8.

Gupta R, Goel D, Kandpal SD, Mittal N, Dhyani M, Mittal M. Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Primary School Children. Indian J Pediatr. 2016;83(11):1232-6.

Section on Pediatric Pulmonology, Subcommittee on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinical practice guideline: diagnosis and management of childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Pediatrics. 2002;109(4):704-12.

Owens JA, Mindell JA. Pediatric sleep medicine: priorities for research, patient care, policy and education. J Clin Sleep Med. 2006;2(1):77-88.

Corkum P, Tannock R, Moldofsky H. Sleep disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1998;37(6):637-46.

Corkum P, Davidson F, Macpherson M. A framework for the assessment and treatment of sleep problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2011;58(3):667-83.

Yu JL, Rosen I. Utility of the modified Mallampati grade and Friedman tongue position in the assessment of obstructive sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(2):303-8.

Bhargava SC, Sethi S. Sleep disorders in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Indian J Psychiatry. 2005;47(2):113-5.

Venkata JA, Panicker AS. Prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in primary school children. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013;55(4):338-42.

Sung V, Hiscock H, Sciberras E, Efron D. Sleep problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: prevalence and the effect on the child and family. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(4):336-42.

LeBourgeois MK, Avis K, Mixon M, Olmi J, Harsh J. Snoring, sleep quality, and sleepiness across attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder subtypes. Sleep. 2004;27(3):520-5.

Vaidyanathan S, Shah H, Gayal T. Sleep Disturbances in Children with Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Comparative Study with Healthy Siblings. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2016;25(3):145-51.

Owens JA, Dalzell V. Use of the 'BEARS' sleep screening tool in a pediatric residents' continuity clinic: a pilot study. Sleep Med. 2005;6(1):63-9.

MacLean J, Krause A, Rogers MA. The student-teacher relationship and ADHD symptomatology: A meta-analysis. J Sch Psychol. 2023;99:101217.