Chronotype and sleep disorders in children with epilepsy

Abstract

Objective: The circadian rhythm can affect the frequency and resistance of epileptic seizures. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the impact of chronobiology and sleep disturbances on children with epilepsy. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five children and adolescents (55 patients and 70 controls) were included in the study. All participants were asked to complete the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale—Child Version (RCADS-CV), Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC), Childhood Chronotype Questionnaire (CCQ). Results: According to the CCQ results, controls had longer sleep duration (median 595 vs. 570), lower morningness–eveningness scores (median: 28 vs. 30), and higher rates of the morningness (12.9% vs. 1.8%) and intermediate (74.3% vs. 60%) chronotypes. The children and adolescents with epilepsy scored significantly higher in the Sleep breathing disorders (p =.001), Disorders of arousal nightmares (p =.044), Sleep–wake transition disorders (p =.037), Disorders of excessive somnolence (p =.001), and total SDCS (p =.046) scores. According to the RCADS-CV results, the children with epilepsy scored significantly higher in all subscales in comparison to controls (p