The Risk Factors Associated with Sleep-related Problems in Children with Profound Intellectual Disability

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and identify the risk factors of different sleep disorders, in a local sample of children with profound intellectual disability. Methods: The study was conducted in students with profound intellectual disabilities in a special school. Each student was evaluated by the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire by their parents. Other medical information was collected and analysed with the score of the questionnaire. Results: Data from 67 participants were included in the analysis. 84% of the subjects were considered as having sleep disorders. Children with epilepsy had a significantly higher total sleep score compared to children without epilepsy (49.66 +/- 7.53 vs 45.27 +/- 6.87, p=0.02). Non-boarding students and those with medical problems also had significantly higher scores. Logistic regression analysis showed that epilepsy was significantly associated with sleep disorder (adjusted odd ratio 7.99, p=0.02). Epilepsy was associated with higher sub-scores for bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay and sleep-disordered breathing. Obesity was associated with higher sub-score for sleepdisordered breathing. Conclusions: Sleep disorders were common among children with profound intellectual disabilities, and epilepsy was significantly associated with sleep disorder in this group of children. Correct identification of the sleep disorders, followed by provision of different sleep interventions are recommended.