Patzold L M, Richdale A L, Tonge B J
Department of Psychology and Intellectual Disability Studies, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
J Paediatr Child Health. 1998 Dec;34(6):528-33. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1754.1998.00291.x.
The aim of the study was to investigate the specificity of sleep problems in children with autism and further explore the currently unclear association between sleep problems and daytime behaviour.
The Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) group consisted of 31 children with autism and 7 children with Asperger's Disorder ranging in age from 44 to 152 months. The control group consisted of 36 children ranging in age from 63 to 171 months. The children were matched on age and gender, and group-matched on IQ level. A sleep diary was completed by parents over a 2-week period, in addition to several behaviour questionnaires.
Results showed that children in the PDD group exhibited qualitatively and quantitatively different sleep patterns to nonautistic control children.
The findings were discussed in light of current literature concerning circadian rhythm dysfunction, social difficulties, and abnormal melatonin levels in children with autism.
本研究旨在调查自闭症儿童睡眠问题的特异性，并进一步探讨目前尚不清楚的睡眠问题与日间行为之间的关联。
广泛性发育障碍（PDD）组由31名自闭症儿童和7名阿斯伯格障碍儿童组成，年龄在44至152个月之间。对照组由36名年龄在63至171个月之间的儿童组成。这些儿童在年龄和性别上进行了匹配，并在智商水平上进行了组间匹配。除了几份行为问卷外，家长还在两周内完成了一份睡眠日记。
结果表明，PDD组儿童的睡眠模式在质量和数量上与非自闭症对照儿童不同。
根据目前有关自闭症儿童昼夜节律功能障碍、社交困难和褪黑素水平异常的文献对研究结果进行了讨论。
