O018 Changes in sleep parameters in children with Down Syndrome following treatment

Abstract

Abstract Introduction There is limited evidence about how sleep changes in children with Down syndrome (DS) following sleep interventions. This study evaluated changes in sleep over time in children receiving treatment comparing to a control group who did not. Methods Children with DS, 3-16yrs, attending the sleep clinic were followed for 24-months. Sleep parameters including parent completed child sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ), PSG and home sleep diary were obtained pre and post sleep interventions for children undergoing treatment. Data was obtained at similar intervals for the control group who were followed over the same time period. Results Data was obtained for 41 participants, 16 children received an intervention and 25 did not. Interventions included ENT surgery (7), CPAP (4), melatonin (3) or a combination (2). The intervention group had a significantly higher average total CSHQ score overall than those in the control group (0.01). Scores decreased over time but remained higher than in controls throughout, and were clinically significant in both groups (>41). Sleep diary estimated average total sleep duration did not differ between groups and was 10hrs/night. PSG showed improvement in OAHI in those children undergoing pre and post intervention studies. Discussion Evaluation of sleep parameters in this referred cohort of children with Down syndrome demonstrates total sleep duration in keeping with national recommendations and improvement in obstruction with treatment. However, CSHQ results indicate ongoing sleep difficulties reported by parents, despite standard sleep interventions. This may reflect persisting non-respiratory sleep disorders, which are not being adequately addressed at present.