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. 2019 Mar;143(3):e20180492.
doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-0492. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Sleep Problems in 2- to 5-Year-Olds With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Delays

Ann M Reynolds  1 , Gnakub N Soke  2 , Katherine R Sabourin  1 , Susan Hepburn  1 , Terry Katz  1 , Lisa D Wiggins  2 , Laura A Schieve  2 , Susan E Levy  3
Affiliations

Sleep Problems in 2- to 5-Year-Olds With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Delays

Ann M Reynolds et al. Pediatrics. 2019 Mar.

Abstract

: media-1vid110.1542/5984243260001PEDS-VA_2018-0492Video Abstract BACKGROUND: Sleep problems can impact daytime behavior, quality of life, and overall health. We compared sleep habits in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental delays and disorders and in children from the general population (POP).

Methods: We included 2- to 5-year-old children whose parent completed all items on the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) in a multisite case-control study: 522 children with ASD; 228 children with other developmental delays and disorders with autism spectrum disorder characteristics (DD w/ASD); 534 children with other developmental delays and disorders without autism spectrum disorder characteristics (DD w/o ASD); and 703 POP. Multivariable analysis of variance compared CSHQ mean total score (TS) and subscale scores between groups. Logistic regression analysis examined group differences by using TS cutoffs of 41 and 48. Analyses were adjusted for covariates.

Results: Mean CSHQ TS for children in each group: ASD (48.5); DD w/ASD (50.4); DD w/o ASD (44.4); and POP (43.3). Differences between children with ASD and both children with DD w/o ASD and POP were statistically significant. Using a TS cutoff of 48, the proportion of children with sleep problems was significantly higher in children in the ASD group versus DD w/o ASD and POP groups (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]: 2.12 [1.57 to 2.87] and 2.37 [1.75 to 3.22], respectively).

Conclusions: Sleep problems are more than twice as common in young children with ASD and DD w/ASD. Screening for sleep problems is important in young children to facilitate provision of appropriate interventions.

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Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Dr Reynolds has participated in clinical trials with Roche Pharmaceuticals and Ovid Therapeutics; the other authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
SEED research classifications. For the ADOS and ADI-R algorithm, a child was classified as having ASD if the child met ADOS criteria and 1 of 3 ADI-R relaxed criteria: (1) met the social domain cutoff and was within 2 points of the communication domain cutoff, (2) met the communication domain cutoff and was within 2 points of the social domain cutoff, or (3) met the social domain cutoff and had at least 2 points on the behavioral domain. SCQ +, SCQ score ≥11; SCQ –, SCQ score <11.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
SEED subject disposition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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