EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF SLEEP PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN WITH NEURODISABILITY: A LITERATURE REVIEW.

This literature review aimed to raise awareness of the current knowledge in the field of sleep disorders, which describes the complex relationship among child’s behavior, cognition and neurodevelopmental outcome. Sleep disorders associated with pediatric neurodisabilites and common neurological conditions causing sleep problems in children are discussed briefly in this article. Especial emphasis is given to an evaluation of sleep pattern recognition in children with neurodisabilites. We also summarized a broad range of management plans for child and family/caregivers. Some essential neurological conditions are highlighted as they provide useful insights into how disturbed sleep can impact on the cognitive and behavioral development of a child. Many neurological disorders exist along with sleep disorders such as epilepsy, autism, Cerebral palsy, etc., which carry profound effect on underlying child’s cognitive or behavioral pattern. The literature review is based on extensive literature search and author’s special interest in sleep disorders and pediatric neurodisabilites.