Practical Approaches and Knowledge Gaps in the Care for Children With Leukodystrophies.

Leukodystrophies are a group of neurodegenerative genetic disorders that affect approximately 1 in 7500 individuals. Despite therapeutic progress in individual leukodystrophies, guidelines in neurologic care are sparse and consensus among physicians and caregivers remains a challenge. At patient advocacy meetings hosted by Hunter's Hope from 2016-2018, multidisciplinary experts and caregivers met to conduct a literature review, identify knowledge gaps and summarize best practices regarding neurologic care.

The role of polysomnography in decannulation of children with brain and spinal cord injuries.

Objective: The objective of this retrospective review was to determine the utility of polysomnography (PSG) in influencing the decision to decannulate pediatric patients with brain and spinal cord injuries in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital setting.

Methods: Between 2010 and 2016, data were collected on pediatric patients with brain and/or spinal cord injuries who had PSG performed with the goal of decannulation. Patients underwent a decannulation protocol involving toleration of continuous tracheostomy capping and bedside tracheoscopy by otolaryngology.

Sleep, epilepsy, and autism.

The purpose of this review article is to explore the links between sleep and epilepsy and the treatment of sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Epilepsy and sleep have bidirectional relationships, and problems with both are highly prevalent in children with ASD. Literature is reviewed to support the view that sleep is particularly important to address in the context of ASD.

Associations between psychiatric comorbidities and sleep disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Objective: Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often have sleep complaints and also higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities such as mood and anxiety disorders that may affect sleep. The authors hypothesized that children with ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities would have higher overall sleep disturbance scores as measured by a sleep questionnaire than children with ADHD without comorbidities.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis in an academic center studied 317 children with ADHD; 195 subjects had no comorbid conditions, 60 were anxious and 62 were depressed.

Differences in overnight polysomnography scores using the adult and pediatric criteria for respiratory events in adolescents.

Study Objectives: There was no consensus in the 2007 American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring manual on whether pediatric or adult respiratory criteria should be used in adolescents due to lack of data. Our objective was to compare pediatric and adult criteria in adolescents referred for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that pediatric criteria would capture more respiratory events than adult criteria.