Sleep measurement and monitoring in children with Down syndrome: a review of the literature, 1960-2010

Abstract

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at risk for sleep disturbances due to the anatomical features of the syndrome. Over the past 50 years research studies have measured sleep in children with DS to characterize sleep architecture and its relation to developmental delay. In the 1980s sleep disordered breathing (SDB) was recognized as a major cause of sleep disturbance in DS. The aim of this comprehensive review is to synthesize studies and present the historical context of evolving technologies, methodologies, and knowledge about SDB and DS. Future research opportunities and practice implications are discussed.