Pediatric sleep and autonomic complaints

Abstract

Objectives: Little is known about the relationship between autonomic dysfunction and sleep disturbances. This study aimed to identify patterns of sleep disturbances and autonomic dysfunction in children. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 14 children who underwent sleep and autonomic testing was performed. Subjects were divided into three groups based on sudomotor Composite Autonomic Severity Score Scale score and postural tachycardia syndrome criteria. Sleep quality, sleep architecture, and number of comorbidities were analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups in measures of sleep quality, sleep architecture, and number of comorbidities. Conclusion: Patients with postural tachycardia syndrome and autonomic dysfunction experience multiple sleep-related complaints. The low power of our study did not allow firm conclusions, but there is no pattern to these abnormalities.