Maryam Dehghani - Department of Nursing , Instructor, School of Nahavand Paramedical, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IRAN
Afshin Fayyazi - Department of Pediatrics, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IRAN
Azam Sharifi - Department of Nursing , Instructor, School of Nahavand Paramedical, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, IRAN

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders that can have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of patient’s the children with epilepsy often experience many behavioral and psychological problems than healthy children. One of the most common behavioral problems in children with epilepsy frequently overlooked involves sleep disorders. Adequate sleep plays a vital role in overall health across all age groups. Unfortunately, disrupted sleep patterns for children and their parents are commonly seen clinically in tandem with childhood epilepsy. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of epilepsy on sleep habits of epileptic children in Hamadan, Iran. Methods:The present study was a descriptive- correlation study. Sample size was determined as 100 patients. Sampling was done using convenience sampling techniques. Data was collected by using The Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess) and Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). It was analyzed by using SPSS (20) and descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings:The mean score of sleep habits were 55.0 ± 6.7.Bedtime resistance(12.1 ± 2.9), parasomnias (11.0 ± 1.8) and sleep anxiety (8.2 ± 2.46) were the most frequent sleep disorders in the studied samples. Based on Pearson’s r,there were significant positive bidirectional relationships between bedtime resistance (rs=0.129, p<0.019), parasomnias (rs = 0.298, p < 0.005), sleep disordered breathing (rs = 0.295, p < 0.005), CSHQ total score (rs=0.144, p<0.022) on the one hand, and children’s epilepsy severity on the other. Conclusion:Epilepsy severity contributed to the sleep disturbances. Evaluation of sleep problems should form part of the comprehensive care of children with severe epilepsy.

Sleep, Sleep disturbance, Epilepsy, Children