Sleep in children with autism with and without autistic regression

Abstract

Summary The purpose of the present investigation was to characterize and compare traditional sleep architecture and non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep microstructure in a well‐defined cohort of children with regressive and non‐regressive autism, and in typically developing children (TD). We hypothesized that children with regressive autism would demonstrate a greater degree of sleep disruption either at a macrostructural or microstructural level and a more problematic sleep as reported by parents. Twenty‐two children with non‐regressive autism, 18 with regressive autism without comorbid pathologies and 12 with TD, aged 5–10 years, underwent standard overnight multi‐channel polysomnographic evaluation. Parents completed a structured questionnaire (Childrens’ Sleep Habits Questionnaire—CSHQ). The initial hypothesis, that regressed children have more disrupted sleep, was supported by our findings that they scored significantly higher on CSHQ, particularly on bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep duration and night wakings CSHQ subdomains than non‐regressed peers, and both scored more than typically developing controls. Regressive subjects had significantly less efficient sleep, less total sleep time, prolonged sleep latency, prolonged REM latency and more time awake after sleep onset than non‐regressive children and the TD group. Regressive children showed lower cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) rates and A1 index in light sleep than non‐regressive and TD children. Our findings suggest that, even though no particular differences in sleep architecture were found between the two groups of children with autism, those who experienced regression showed more sleep disorders and a disruption of sleep either from a macro‐ or from a microstructural viewpoint.

Common neurological co-morbidities in autism spectrum disorders

“…Thus, sleep disturbance may contribute not only to the development of associated affective disorders but the expression of core communication deficits as well. A recent study also found that children with autistic regression had less efficient sleep, less total sleep time, prolonged sleep latency, prolonged REM latency and more wake time after sleep onset on PSG than children without regression [78*]. These findings, taken together, suggest that disturbed sleep and autism severity may be associated through common pathways such as disturbances in neurochemicals (perhaps melatonin, serotonin or GABA) and/ or neural circuitry.…”

Sleep Differences Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Peers

“…In addition to evaluating the required sleep parameters in the population of children with ASD, 3 studies included an additional study group of children with developmental delays or Fragile X. 2,49,52 Other studies attempted to correlate parental complaints with objective sleep data. 2,49,52 Other studies attempted to correlate parental complaints with objective sleep data.…”

Sleep patterns in children with autistic spectrum disorders: a prospective cohort study

“…The most commonly reported sleep disturbances are increased sleep latency and frequent night waking which result in reduced sleep duration 5 6. Other problems reported by parents include early morning waking, lack of sleep routine, nightmares and reduced sleep duration 7 8.…”