Sleep problems in a sample of children with developmental disorders, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Sleep problems (SPs) are common, especially among children with developmental disorders (DDs), and affect their functioning and quality of family life. Pediatricians play a major role in their management. Objective. To define the frequency and types of SPs in a sample of children with DDs, determine the proportion of pediatricians who addressed such difficulties, assess the effects of sleep hygiene (SH), and describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep. Population and methods. This was a quasiexperiment. SPs were diagnosed based on parents' concerns and/or clinical criteria. SH strategies were provided and their effect was assessed as per parents' reports and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire in Spanish (CSHQ-S) before and after the strategies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SP outcome measure and SH-related outcome measures were measured again. Results. A total of 161 children were included. The frequency of SPs was 55 %; 80 % improved with SH. Eighty-three percent of children had a primary pediatrician; of these, 45 % had consulted about sleep. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SPs increased and SH outcome measures changed. Conclusion.Approximately half of children with DDs have SPs; and the problem was only addressed by 45 % of pediatricians. SH was beneficial for most children, so pediatricians' role seems critical. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SPs increased, probably as a result of its environmental impact on children with DDs.

Effects of short-term quarantine on growth and development of children aged 1–36 months during the Omicron outbreak

“…It is critical to consider how changes in the social, cultural, economic, and physical environments resulting from the pandemic could affect the development of children [ 15 ]. During Omicron pandemic, effects on growth and development may be related to children’s social confinement recommended in an attempt to slow the progress of Omicron, increased screen media usage [ 6 ] and changes in family routines during social distancing [ 16 , 17 ]. This situation becomes an adverse childhood experience and may generate toxic stress, with consequent potential losses for brain development, individual and collective health [ 8 ].…”