Sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder

Pediatr Neurol. 2012 Oct;47(4):242-51. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.007.

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder demonstrate an increased prevalence of difficulties with sleep initiation and maintenance. The consequences may include alterations in daytime behavior, memory, and learning in patients, and significant stress in caretakers. The dysregulation of melatonin synthesis, sensitization to environmental stimuli, behavioral insomnia syndromes, delayed sleep phase syndrome, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, and comorbid anxiety, depression, and epilepsy comprise common etiologic factors. The clinical assessment of sleep problems in this population and a management algorithm are presented.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / epidemiology*
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / metabolism
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / physiopathology
  • Child Rearing
  • Child, Preschool
  • Circadian Rhythm
  • Comorbidity
  • Cortical Synchronization
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Intelligence
  • Learning Disabilities / epidemiology
  • Neurotransmitter Agents / metabolism
  • Prevalence
  • Receptors, GABA / metabolism
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / drug therapy
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / metabolism
  • Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Neurotransmitter Agents
  • Receptors, GABA