Sleep problems in chinese school-aged children with a parent-reported history of ADHD

J Atten Disord. 2009 Jul;13(1):18-26. doi: 10.1177/1087054708322992. Epub 2008 Aug 29.

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to survey the prevalence of parent-reported ADHD diagnosis and to assess its associations with sleep problems among urban school-aged children in China.

Method: A random sample of 20,152 school-aged children participated in a cross-sectional survey in eight cities of China. A parent-administered questionnaire and the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were completed to quantify history of ADHD diagnosis and sleep problems, respectively.

Results: Slightly more than 4% of Chinese school-aged children were reported to have a history of ADHD diagnosis. The multivariate regression models revealed that, after controlling for some confounders-such as gender, parents' educational level, family income, family structure, and stimulant medication-there was a higher prevalence of sleep problems, especially parasomnias, sleep-disordered breathing, and daytime sleepiness, in children with a history of ADHD diagnosis.

Conclusion: The results emphasized the importance of incorporating screens of sleep problems into the evaluation of ADHD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asian People / psychology
  • Asian People / statistics & numerical data*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Child of Impaired Parents / psychology*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parents
  • Polysomnography
  • Population
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Factors
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires