Effect of sleep disordered breathing severity in children with Down syndrome on parental wellbeing and social support

Miles Beng Hee Ong; Margot J Davey; Gillian M Nixon; Lisa M Walter; Rosemary Sc Horne

doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2024.02.037

Effect of sleep disordered breathing severity in children with Down syndrome on parental wellbeing and social support

Sleep Med. 2024 Apr:116:71-80. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.02.037. Epub 2024 Feb 26.

Authors

Miles Beng Hee Ong¹, Margot J Davey², Gillian M Nixon², Lisa M Walter¹, Rosemary Sc Horne³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Melbourne Children's Sleep Centre, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
³ Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: rosemary.horne@monash.edu.

PMID: 38432030
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.02.037

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disorders, particularly sleep disordered breathing (SDB), are common in children with Down syndrome (DS). We investigated the relationship between SDB severity and parental psychological wellbeing and their perception of social support.

Methods: 44 children with DS (3-19 years) underwent overnight polysomnography and were categorised into three groups: primary snoring, Mild and Moderate/Severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Parents completed questionnaires about their child's behaviour (Child Behavior Checklist), sleep symptoms (Pediatric Sleep Survey Instrument) and SDB-related quality of life (OSA-18), together with the DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support (DUKE) and Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWBI) questionnaires for themselves. 34 children completed a follow-up study after 2 years.

Results: There were no significant differences between SDB severity groups for parental perceived social support or psychological wellbeing. Total scores on the DUKE were below average and PGWBI scores were indicative of moderate psychological distress in all three groups. Reduced perceived levels of social support were significantly correlated with externalising child behaviour and sleep disturbance. Diminished parental psychological wellbeing was also significantly correlated with increased sleep disturbances and reduced quality of life in children. At follow-up there were no significant changes in any questionnaire outcome, however parents of children with improved SDB severity had improved PGWBI vitality scores.

Conclusion: The degree of parent-reported sleep disturbance in children with DS was linked to suboptimal perceived parental social support and poor psychological wellbeing. Our results emphasise the need for enhanced awareness of the detrimental effects of sleep problems in children with DS on parental wellbeing.

Keywords: Behaviour; Down syndrome; Parental wellbeing; Quality of life; Sleep disruption; Sleep problems.

MeSH terms

Child
Down Syndrome* / complications
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Parents / psychology
Quality of Life / psychology
Sleep Apnea Syndromes*
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*
Sleep Wake Disorders*
Social Support
Surveys and Questionnaires