Abstract
This review describes recent research in pediatric sleep disorders associated with
neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) and their treatment. NDDs affect more than
2% of the general population and represent more than 35% of the total cases of children
referred to a neuropsychiatric center for sleep problems. Specific clinical and therapeutic
aspects of sleep disorders associated with Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Prader–Willi
syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, Smith–Magenis syndrome, cerebral palsy,
and autism spectrum disorders are described. Furthermore, the drugs commonly used
for sleep disorders in children with NDDs are described. The review clearly highlighted
that children with NDDs are often affected by sleep disorders that require appropriate
clinical and therapeutic approach to improve quality of life in both patients and
families.
Keywords
sleep disorders - neurodevelopmental disabilities - Down syndrome - Fragile X syndrome
- Prader–Willi syndrome - Angelman syndrome - Rett syndrome - Smith–Magenis syndrome
- cerebral palsy - autism spectrum disorders