Sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder and their individual and family affectation A single-center observational study in Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disorders in children impact development, affecting behavior, mood, and cognitive functions and decreasing selective attention and memory. This study aimed to determine sleep disturbances in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their individual and family involvement at the Delicias Chihuahua Regional Autism Center.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included children with ASD in whom some sleep disturbance was determined, and its relationship with individual and family affectation was sought; in addition, age, sex, school grade, functional level of ASD, and family affectations were evaluated. The sleep screening questionnaire for children with ASD, the adapted questionnaire for children with ASD -BRUNI, and the satisfaction questionnaire on the activities of parents, primary caregivers, and first-line family members were applied. Descriptive statistics were used, and the prevalence odds ratio (MPR) was used in a second analysis.

Results: A total of 57 patients were analyzed; 43 (75.4%) were men, 28 (49.1%) were at the grade 1 ASD functional level, 16 (28.1%) had poor individual performance, 56 (98.2%) their relatives reported poor performance, and 43 (75.4%) had sleep disturbances. Preschool children have a 2.5 times higher risk of having individual involvement. Patients in functional level ASD grade 3 have a 2.15 times higher risk of having individual involvement. Those who wake up tired have a 5.93 times higher risk of having individual involvement.

Conclusion: The family affectation of performance is much greater than the personal affectation of children with ASD, which generates changes in family dynamics.