Doctor, My Child Snores and Has ADHD. Is There a Relationship?

Abstract

Comorbid sleep disorders are at least twice as common in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as compared with typically developing (TD) children. Subjective sleep-wake complaints most often reported by parents of children with ADHD are bedtime resistance, longer sleep latencies, more nighttime awakenings, and daytime sleepiness. Management of sleep problems in children with ADHD includes sleep hygiene and behavioral interventions which include establishing a consistent bedtime ritual, limit setting, a behavioral reward system, relaxation strategies, and setting times for returning to check on the child during the night. Parent-reported moderate-to-severe sleep problems found sleep hygiene and parenting were modifiable factors independently associated with sleep problems in children with ADHD. Poorer sleep hygiene was associated with increased bedtime resistance, sleep duration problems, and daytime sleepiness. More consistent parenting was associated with decreased bedtime resistance and sleep anxiety.