Sleep disorders in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Sleep Disturbances in Children with ADHD and Matched Controls

Background: Systematic reviews conducted on sleep disturbances in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have found inconsistent results due to the presence of several moderating variables which were not controlled for in previous studies. The aim of this study was to examine sleep disturbances in children with ADHD compared to their typically developing peers after controlling for moderating variables (age, sex, medication status, body mass index, and psychiatric and medical comorbidities). Methods: ADHD was diagnosed using DSM-IV-TR criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and Conners’ Parent Rating Scales. Children recruited (aged 6−12 years) for the ADHD group (n = 40) met the following criteria: IQ > 80, unmedicated, and no psychiatric or medical comorbidities. The control group consisted of age- and sex-matched typically developing peers (n = 40). Sleep was assessed subjectively (through parent reported questionnaires and sleep logs) and objectively (using video polysomnography). Results: 65% of children with ADHD had a sleep disorder, as compared to 17% of controls. The ADHD group reported more sleep disturbances and disorders, both on subjective measures and objective measures. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances and primary sleep disorders in children with ADHD exist independent of moderating variables and differences in sleep assessment methods, thereby bolstering support for previously documented literature on the ADHD and sleep connection.

Is there an association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents and the occurrence of bruxism? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate whether children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at greater chance of developing bruxism compared to individuals without this disorder. Observational studies that evaluated the occurrence of bruxism in children and adolescents with ADHD were included. The quality of the evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. Thirty-two studies involving a total of 2629 children/adolescents with ADHD and 1739 with bruxism (1629 with sleep bruxism and 110 with awake bruxism) were included. The prevalence of bruxism, irrespective of type, in the children/adolescents was 31% (95% CI: 0.22-0.41, I² = 93%). ADHD was associated with an increased chance of bruxism (OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 2.12-4.07, I² = 61%), independently of the type [sleep bruxism (OR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.90-4.03, I² = 66%) or awake bruxism (OR: 10.64, 95% CI: 2.41-47.03, I² = 65%)]. The presence of signs of ADHD without a diagnostic confirmation was not associated with an increased chance of bruxism (OR: 3.26, 95% CI: 0.76-14.04, I² = 61%). Children and adolescents with a definitive diagnosis of ADHD are at greater chance of developing sleep and awake bruxism than those without this disorder.

Sleep Disturbances in Children with Attention - Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Comparative Study with Healthy Siblings

OBJECTIVES

Sleep disturbances in children with ADHD impact their functioning and overall Quality of Life. This paper's purpose is to study the occurrence of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD, in comparison to their healthy siblings and further, within the ADHD group, to look for correlation between sleep disturbances and age, severity of symptoms, presentations of ADHD and illness parameters.

METHODS

The parents of 120 children of age group between 5-16 years, (60 children diagnosed with ADHD as per DSM-5 criteria and 60 of their healthy siblings) consecutively enrolled from a hospital's Child Psychiatry Outpatient services were interviewed using Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and severity of ADHD symptoms was rated using ADHD - RS.

RESULTS

Sleep disturbances are more prevalent in pharmacologically treated children with ADHD than their healthy siblings, reduce with increasing age and are found more in the Predominantly Hyperactive/impulsive presentation of ADHD.

CONCLUSION

Sleep disturbances are more prevalent in pharmacologically treated ADHD, making it an important aspect of ADHD management.

Research in child and adolescent psychiatry in India

The primary source for this annotation on child and adolescent psychiatry is Indian Journal of Psychiatry. Articles covering various dimensions of child and adolescent mental health were searched from its electronic data base to discuss relevant articles. Literature was mainly in the form of original research articles, review articles, case reports, editorials, orations and presidential address.

Indian research on sleep disorders

Literature on sleep disorders from our country, India, can mainly be found in the Indian journal of Sleep medicine, Indian Journal of psychiatry, The Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology and certain other journals and books. The article highlights the contribution of various Indian doctors in the field of sleep disorders, which includes review articles, prevalence studies, studies on etiology and treatment options, case reports and a couple of case control studies. Also included are studies on various sleep related syndromes as well as studies about awareness and knowledge of sleep disorders amongst the medical fraternity. This is a humble attempt to compile the rich data available in the country on sleep disorders in order to aid further research in the field.