Pediatric Epilepsy and Parental Sleep Quality

Study Objectives: To evaluate the effects of pediatric epilepsy on sleep in parents of epileptic children. Methods: Cohort design in which the sleep quality of parents of epileptic children (POEC) and parents of nonepileptic children (PONEC) in the month preceding recruitment were compared using the self-administered Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Mothers of epileptic children had a 7-fold occurrence of sleep disturbances when compared to mothers of non-epileptic children (OR = 6.66 CI 95% 1.10-70.08). The sleep characteristics that showed statistically significant differences were: sleep duration, sleep continuity, and self-evaluation of sleep quality (p < 0.05 for all parameters). No significant difference in sleep quality was found between fathers of epileptic children and fathers of nonepileptic children. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are more common in mothers of epileptic children. The sleep quality of mothers to epileptic children should be considered in their comprehensive management, and if necessary, the sleep disturbance should be addressed.