Autism linked with poor sleep in children

By: Chioma Umeha


Children with autism may sleep less each night due to disturbed sleep than those without the condition, according to a new study. Researchers from the U.K. and Canada found that starting at around age two until 11, children with autism tended to sleep 17 to 43 fewer minutes each night than their peers without autism. Researchers said the decreased sleep was due to periods of wakefulness during the night.

Photo:L-r:  Dr. Osi Akpene, Mrs. ChiddyIbiam,
Barr.{Mrs.} Helen Mbakwe, President of foundation,Hajiah Umah Sehu and
Mrs. Emily Ajisebutu at the conference organized by  Keera Autism Foundation,
held recently at Lekki,  to create awareness and empowerment for the
people living with autism.
While the discrepancy in sleep shrank when children reached their teens, researchers found that teens with autism did still tend to get about 20 fewer minutes each night than those without the condition. The study, published in the journal, Archives of Disease in Childhood, is based on data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which includes more than 14,000 children born in southwest England between 1991 and 1992. For this particular study, researchers used data from 7,043 children without autism and 39 children with autism (these study participants had complete data available to researchers).

Parents were quizzed about their child’s sleep habits when they were six, 18, 30, 42, 69, 115 and 140 months old (or from six months to 11 years), and were asked questions about what time their children went to bed, woke up and slept during the day. While the study only showed an association, researchers noted that the findings do suggest there is some sort of “shared neuropathological basis” between autism and biological clock disturbances.

“There are increasing biochemical and genetic data to support the existence of fundamental disturbances in circadian melatonin production in some children with autism, which may partly explain these findings,” they wrote in the study. “Children with ASD are reported to have reduced levels of circulating melatonin and disrupted circadian rhythms, and links have been identified between genes involved in melatonin synthesis and ASD, which could help explain the disturbed sleep patterns observed in children with ASD.”


This story was published in Newswatch Times on October 5,  2013.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Limited Information Frustrates Young Women From Using Family Planning

Image
BY CHIOMA UMEHA, Awareness and proper understanding of family planning has been recognised to reduce maternal death among young women of reproductive age between 15 and 49. Data on Sexual Reproductive Health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the importance of focusing on adolescents. At 576 maternal death per 1,000 live births, Nigeria accounts for 14 percent of the global burden of maternal mortality (NDHS 2013/WHO 2014). Global evidence shows that young girls bear a higher burden of maternal mortality and morbidity. Data shows that the average age at sexual debut is roughly 15 years of age among adolescent mothers in Nigeria. (NDHS 2003, 2008, 2013). The National adolescent fertility rate in Nigeria is 122 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. In the North Western States, it is as high as 171 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. To stem this, the government of Lagos State with support from partners and other donor agencies has put in place youth-friendly he
Read more

Develop Specific Security Reforms To Curb Corruption In Defence Sector, National Assembly Urged

Image
  Group photograph of participants at the one-day workshop on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector organised recently, by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), in collaboration with Transparency International - Defence and Security Project (TI-DSP) in Nasarawa State . National Assembly (NASS) has been urged to develop specific security reforms aimed at systematically curbing the root causes of corruption within the defence and security institutions in Nigeria. The stakeholders who during a recent a one-day workshop in Nasarawa state on "Capacity Building for Relevant Oversight Agencies on Anti-Corruption Reforms in Nigeria's Defence and Security Sector, also "advocated for the adoption of specific legislation” to curb corruption in the sector.   The stakeholders who participated recently in a one-day workshop on &q
Read more

Nestle Takes Action To Promote Safe Food And Empowers Food Vendors

Image
By Umeha Ucheoma Ogun Photo:  Funmi Osineye, Manager, Nestlé Professional Nigeria, educating the participants on the use of MAGGI seasoning. The quality and cost of these items for consumers are two factors that experts advise food businesses to always take into consideration.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a balanced diet is important for both excellent nutrition and health, and it may also lengthen life.  A variety of chronic non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, can be prevented by eating a balanced diet, which also strengthens muscles, improves immunity, strengthens bones, and keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy. Sadly, in a low-income nation like Nigeria, the caterers, food sellers, canteens, and "bukkas" that cater to this market sector do not always receive the support they require to offer wholesome, affordable meals that may guarantee that their clients receive the nutrients needed for optimum health.  However,
Read more