The relationship between severity of epilepsy and sleep disorder in epileptic children

Background : Sleep disturbances are one of the most common behavioral problems in childhood. Sleep problems have an even greater prevalence in children with epilepsy and are one of the most common comorbid conditions in childhood epilepsy. Methods: The present study was a descriptive- correlation study with the general goal of determining the effects of epilepsy on sleep habits of epileptic children in Hamadan, Iran, in 2014. Sampling was done using convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected by using The Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess) and Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). It was analyzed by using SPSS (20) and descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean score of sleep habits were 55/08 ± 6/71. Bedtime resistance (12/14 ± 2/93), parasomnias (11/02 ± 1/84) and sleep anxiety (8/29 ± 2/46) were the most frequent sleep disorders in the studied sample. Based on Pearson’s r, there were significant positive bidirectional relationships between bedtime resistance (r s = 0.129, p < 0.019), parasomnias (r s = 0.298, p < 0.005), sleep disordered breathing (r s = 0.295, p < 0.005), CSHQ total score (r s = 0.144, p < 0.022) on the one hand, and children’s epilepsy severity on the other. Conclusion: Sleep problems should not be overlooked, and a comprehensive review of the sleep habits of this group of patients should be conducted.