"Sleeping Disorders Among Children with Down Syndrome: A Cross Sectional Study"

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disorders should be addressed on priority as such problems are directly associated with increased risk of neurobehavioral complications and growth impairment. Children are at extreme risk of sleep disorders because of stress, anxiety, mental health condition, hyperactivity, genetic disorders. The prevalence of sleep disorders among children in Saudi Arabia is approximately 18% among school-going children. This study has aimed to identify the association between sleep disorders and Down syndrome among children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Method: The children with Down syndrome who were attending daycare facilities or special care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were selected for the study. A total of 23 children, ranging in age from 10 to 14, were recruited. To obtain data on demographics and subjective aspects, a self-administered, structured, and validated questionnaire was utilized. SPSS version 17 has been used for data analysis in this study. Results: The finding revealed that 17.4% of the children faced apneas; however, only 13% of the children faced troubled breathing. Furthermore, 4% of the children used to open their mouth during the day for mouth breathing. 52.2% of the children reported that it is hard to wake up; 39.1% of the children reported sleepy per instructor and only 13% of the children reported a problem with sleepiness. 65.2% of the children faced nocturnal enuresis. Conclusion: Sleep disorder or sleep apnea is relatively common among Down syndrome Saudi children. However future studies with larger sample size are required to get more in-depth findings.