Scientific Investigations
Pediatric Epilepsy and Parental Sleep Quality
http://dx.doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.1318
David Shaki, B.Sc.1; Aviv Goldbart, M.D., M.Sc.1,2; Sharon Daniel, B.Sc.3; Drora Fraser, Ph.D.3; Zamir Shorer, M.D.1,4
1Department of Pediatrics, Saban Pediatric Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; 2Sleep-Wake Disorders Unit, Saban Pediatric Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; 3Department of Epidemiology, Saban Pediatric Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel; 4Pediatric Neurology Unit, Saban Pediatric Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Study Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of pediatric epilepsy on sleep in parents of epileptic children.
Methods:
Cohort design in which the sleep quality of parents of epileptic children (POEC) and parents of nonepileptic children (PONEC) in the month preceding recruitment were compared using the self-administered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results:
Mothers of epileptic children had a 7-fold occurrence of sleep disturbances when compared to mothers of non-epileptic children (OR = 6.66 CI 95% 1.10-70.08). The sleep characteristics that showed statistically significant differences were: sleep duration, sleep continuity, and self-evaluation of sleep quality (p < 0.05 for all parameters). No significant difference in sleep quality was found between fathers of epileptic children and fathers of nonepileptic children.
Conclusions:
Sleep disturbances are more common in mothers of epileptic children. The sleep quality of mothers to epileptic children should be considered in their comprehensive management, and if necessary, the sleep disturbance should be addressed.
Citation:
Shaki D; Goldbart A; Daniel S; Fraser D; Shorer Z. Pediatric epilepsy and parental sleep quality. J Clin Sleep Med 2011;7(5):502-506.
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