Sleep, executive functioning and behaviour in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

Nicole C. Caruso, Branka Radovanovic, J. Declan Kennedy, Jennifer Couper, Mark Kohler, Phillip S. Kavanagh, A. James Martin, Kurt Lushington

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine sleep, neurocognitive and behavioural functioning in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared to controls and to test whether sleep quality mediates the relationship between diabetes and neurocognitive and behavioural deficits. Methods: Participants include 49 children and adolescents with T1D (recruited from a hospital clinic) and 36 healthy controls (age range = 6-16 years). Parents completed a survey consisting of the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2. Diabetic and demographic parameters were collated from medical records. The survey was posted to participants. Results: Children with T1D compared to controls reported a higher frequency of sleep problems, and mild deficits in executive and behavioural functioning. Mediational analyses revealed that sleep quality fully mediated metacognitive functioning, externalised problematic behaviour, and internalised problematic behaviour, but not behavioural regulation. Conclusions: Rather than the direct impact of T1D on daytime functioning, it is the consequent impact of T1D on sleep and the resulting sleep disruption which can explain much of the neurocognitive and behavioural deficits reported in children with T1D. Maintaining good nocturnal glycaemic control may play a much larger role than previously thought in regulating daytime functioning in children with T1D.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1490-1499
Number of pages10
JournalSleep Medicine
Volume15
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2014
Externally publishedYes

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