Title:
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An investigation of sleep disturbance experienced by children with Angelman syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome and their parents
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Background: Sleep disturbance is documented as part of the behavioural phenotype ofAngelman syndrome (AS) and
its 'sister' syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Method: The sleeping patterns of22 children (AS 12, PWS 10),
aged 5-13 years, and their parents were investigated using parental reports and actigraphy. Findings: Both groups of
children have less sleep than would be expected for children oftheir age, and both groups experience night and early
morning wakings. Both groups of children may take some time to fall asleep but children with AS appear to have more
severe settling difficulties and require parental intervention, unlike children with PWS. Data suggest that parents' sleep
is disturbed by children's sleeping patterns in both groups, although parents ofchildren with PWS may be less aware of
the severity oftheir child's sleep disturbance. Conclusions: There are a number offactors which limit the conclusions of
this study, primarily the small number ofparticipants. In terms ofclinical practice the findings ofthis study suggest that
children diagnosed with the two syndromes should be screened for sleep disturbance. Treatment may include medical
intervention for causes such as sleep related breathing disorders or epilepsy, and/or psychological intervention for
behavioural factors.
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