Abstract

IDIAZABAL, María Angeles; PALAU, Montserrat  and  BELLO, Xavier. Treatment of sleep disorders in neurodevelopmental disorders. Medicina (B. Aires) [online]. 2024, vol.84, suppl.1, pp.9-14. ISSN 0025-7680.

Sleep disorders are common in children and affect neurological development with important cognitive, emotional and behavioral repercussions. There is a high prevalence of sleep disorders (SD) in neurodevelop mental disorders (NDD) such as autism spectrum dis order (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Sleep disorders in pediatric population have a prevalence of 6-25%, while in children with NDD this number rises to 50-80%. In NDDs, higher rates of dif ficulties in falling asleep, nocturnal awakenings and daytime sleepiness are observed. Disturbances in the circadian rhythm as well as respiratory sleep disorders are also observed. Consequently, there is a decrease in alertness for daytime activities with increased be havioral disorders, emotional problems and academic difficulties associated with executive and memory dys functions. Sleep assessment has to be a systemic part in the clinical evaluation of children with NDDs, so as to give a convenient diagnosis and treatment in each case, allowing to improve the quality of life of children and their families.

Keywords : Sleep disorders; Attention-deficit hyper activity disorder; Autism spectrum disorder.

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