A Comparative Study of Sleep Disturbances in Children with Cerebral Palsy and the Age- and Gender-Matched Controls

Abstract

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are reported to experience various sleep problems more often than typically developing children.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the rate and pattern of sleep problems among children with cerebral palsy attending a developmental clinic in Lagos, Nigeria, compared with age- and gender-matched typically developing children. The sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with sleep problems in cerebral palsy were also assessed.

Methods: The study design was a comparative, cross-sectional study conducted among 75 children with CP (study group) aged 6 to 18 years and typically developing children of the same age and gender as the controls. Data collection was conducted using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, as well as the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), to assess sleep problems.

Results: The prevalence of sleep problems in children with CP was 62.7% as compared with 33.3% in the TD children. The common patterns of sleep disorder were Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining Sleep (DIMS), Sleep Breathing Disorders (SBD), and Sleep-Wake Transition Disorders (SWTD) in both groups.

Conclusion: This study found that sleep problems are significantly more common in children with cerebral palsy compared to their typically developing peers. These findings underscore the importance of routine screening and targeted management of sleep disturbances in children with cerebral palsy to improve their overall health and quality of life.