A new study examined sleep behaviors and sleep quality in children with autism spectrum disorder. The results were published Dec. 1 in the journal Sleep.
The study involved 59 children with ASD. They were between 4 and 10 years of age. They were compared with 40 typically developing children.
Parents completed the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire. They also completed a sleep diary for their child each morning for 17 days.
Sleep was monitored for 10 nights by actigraphy. The actigraph was hidden in a pocket in the upper sleeve of a snug-fitting pajama top.
Results show that the average bedtime on weekdays was around 8:30 p.m. for children in both groups. But children with ASD had an average wake time of 6:27 a.m. This was 38 minutes earlier than the other children’s wake time.
About 58 percent of parents of a child with ASD had concerns about their child’s sleep. Less than 13 percent of other parents had similar concerns.
Thirty-seven percent of children with ASD were taking medication to aid sleep. Melatonin was the most common sleep aid. None of the other children were taking a medication for sleep.
Children with ASD had more parent-reported sleep anxiety. They were more often afraid of being in the dark, being alone and sleeping away from home.
A few sleep disorders also were reported more often by parents of children with ASD. These were sleep terrors, bedwetting and bruxism.
There was no difference between the groups in parent reports of bedtime resistance or sleep disordered breathing. Parents in both groups reported that their children are sleepy during the day.
Actigraphic data showed that sleep disturbances were common in both groups. An estimated 67 percent of children with ASD and 46 percent of other children had disturbed sleep.
It took children with ASD an average of 34 minutes to fall asleep; the other children fell asleep in about 22 minutes. Thirty percent of children with ASD had behavioral insomnia of childhood.
The authors concluded that all children should be screened for sleep problems during routine visits to the doctor. They also wrote that parents should be educated on strategies to promote strong sleep behaviors.
Earlier this year the Sleep Education Blog reported that melatonin supplements may be helpful for children with autism.
Showing posts with label autistic spectrum disorders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label autistic spectrum disorders. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Melatonin Improves Sleep Problems in Children with Autism
A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that melatonin supplements may be helpful for children with autism.
The small study involved 12 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years. Each child had either autistic spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, or both problems. The children took 3 mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.
Results show that melatonin improved three aspects of their sleep. The children slept for an average of 21 more minutes each night. The length of time it took them to fall asleep was 28 minutes shorter. And the time of night when they fell asleep was 42 minutes earlier.
The study reports that sleep problems are common in children with autism. Senior author Beth L. Goodlin-Jones, PhD, told the AASM that these problems can affect the entire family.
“Sleep-onset problems at the beginning of the night are very troublesome for children and their families,” said Goodlin-Jones. “Sometimes children may take one to two hours to fall asleep, and often they disrupt the household during this time.”
According to the authors, other studies have suggested that children with autism or fragile X syndrome may have abnormal melatonin levels. This hormone plays an important role in regulating sleep.
The authors also report that other strategies can improve sleep problems in these children. Options include behavior therapy and good sleep hygiene.
The NINDS estimates that three to six out of every 1,000 children have autism. Males are four times more likely than females to have it. Other forms of autistic spectrum disorder include Asperger syndrome and Rett syndrome.
The NINDS also reports that children with autism have a higher risk of fragile X syndrome. This genetic condition can cause mental retardation.
Learn more about melatonin at SleepEducation.com.
The small study involved 12 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years. Each child had either autistic spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, or both problems. The children took 3 mg of melatonin 30 minutes before bedtime for two weeks.
Results show that melatonin improved three aspects of their sleep. The children slept for an average of 21 more minutes each night. The length of time it took them to fall asleep was 28 minutes shorter. And the time of night when they fell asleep was 42 minutes earlier.
The study reports that sleep problems are common in children with autism. Senior author Beth L. Goodlin-Jones, PhD, told the AASM that these problems can affect the entire family.
“Sleep-onset problems at the beginning of the night are very troublesome for children and their families,” said Goodlin-Jones. “Sometimes children may take one to two hours to fall asleep, and often they disrupt the household during this time.”
According to the authors, other studies have suggested that children with autism or fragile X syndrome may have abnormal melatonin levels. This hormone plays an important role in regulating sleep.
The authors also report that other strategies can improve sleep problems in these children. Options include behavior therapy and good sleep hygiene.
The NINDS estimates that three to six out of every 1,000 children have autism. Males are four times more likely than females to have it. Other forms of autistic spectrum disorder include Asperger syndrome and Rett syndrome.
The NINDS also reports that children with autism have a higher risk of fragile X syndrome. This genetic condition can cause mental retardation.
Learn more about melatonin at SleepEducation.com.
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