[Sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Comparative study between students from a mainstream school and a special school in the Valencia Community (Spain)]. / Trastornos del sueño en niños y adolescentes con incapacidad psíquica. Análisis comparativo entre alumnos escolarizados en centros ordinarios y centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbances affect daytime behaviour and cognitive functions in children. These disorders make the situation worse in children who already have learning difficulties. The objective of the present study was to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances among children from special schools and carry out a comparative study with children from mainstream schools. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We use the Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out in three special schools of the Valencia Community. Results were compared with a previous study in children from mainstream schools. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of children in special schools had insomnia, 32.3 % against 10.5 % in main-stream school, and sleep breathing disorders, 26.8 % against 5.7 % in mainstream schools, and a lower proportion of parasomnias. Among the whole population with learning difficulties, children with cerebral palsy are the most affected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly show that children with learning difficulties have a higher risk of sleep disturbances and these disturbances have repercussions on daily functioning. It is important to rule out sleep disturbances when we see children with learning difficulties.

Trastornos del sueño en niños y adolescentes con incapacidad psíquica. Análisis comparativo entre alumnos escolarizados en centros ordinarios y centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana / Sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Comparative study between students from a mainstream school and a special school in the Valencia Community (Spain)

Introducción: Las alteraciones del sueño repercuten de forma negativa sobre la conducta y la función cognitiva de la población infantil. En los niños con discapacidad estos trastornos empeoran una situación de por sí deficitaria. Es importante conocer qué alteraciones son más frecuentes en esta población. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la prevalencia de las alteraciones del sueño entre la población que acude a centros de educación especial, realizando un análisis comparativo con aquellos casos que acuden a centros ordinarios. Pacientes y métodos: Se utilizó la versión española del Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, que se distribuyó entre tres centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana. Los resultados se compararon con los de un estudio previo entre estudiantes de centros ordinarios de la ciudad de Gandía. Resultados: La población que acude a centros educativos especiales presenta una mayor frecuencia de insomnio, un 32,3 frente a un 10,5 % en la población que acude a centros ordinarios, así como de trastornos respiratorios relacionados con el sueño, un 26,8 frente a un 5,7 % en la que acude a colegios ordinarios, y una menor frecuencia de parasomnias. Dentro del conjunto de personas con discapacidad, los que presentan parálisis cerebral son los más afectados. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados demuestran de forma clara que las personas con discapacidad psíquica tienen un mayor riesgo de presentar trastornos del sueño. Se debe valorar siempre la existencia de dichos trastornos en esta población (AU)

Introduction: Sleep disturbances affect daytime behaviour and cognitive functions in children. These disorders make the situation worse in children who already have learning difficulties. The objective of the present study was to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances among children from special schools and carry out a comparative study with children from mainstream schools. Patients and methods: We use the Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out in three special schools of the Valencia Community. Results: were compared with a previous study in children from mainstream schools. Results A significantly higher proportion of children in special schools had insomnia, 32.3 % against 10.5 % in main-stream school, and sleep breathing disorders, 26.8 % against 5.7 % in mainstream schools, and a lower proportion of parasomnias. Among the whole population with learning difficulties, children with cerebral palsy are the most affected. Conclusions: Our results clearly show that children with learning difficulties have a higher risk of sleep disturbances and these disturbances have repercussions on daily functioning. It is important to rule out sleep disturbances when we see children with learning difficulties (AU)