Sleep disturbance in children with epilepsy

This study employed a validated pediatric sleep questionnaire to evaluate for sleep-disordered symptoms in children with epilepsy (n=14). Results were compared with those for age-matched children (n=14) with known obstructive sleep apnea. Subjects were enrolled from an outpatient epilepsy clinic and a pediatric sleep disorders clinic. We hypothesized that children with epilepsy would (1) report symptoms of sleep disturbance similar to those of children with documented obstructive sleep apnea, and (2) display behavioral disturbances on parent and child behavioral symptom measures. Results indicate that more than 50% of children with epilepsy had behavioral problems (n=14). No differences in snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and restless sleep were seen between the two subject groups. Results suggest that neurobehavioral problems in children with epilepsy may in part be attributed to an underlying sleep disturbance.