A Systematic Review of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nChildren and adults with ADHD often report sleep disturbances that may form part of the etiology and/or symptomatology of ADHD. We review the evidence for sleep changes in children with ADHD.\n\n\nMETHODS\nSystematic review with narrative synthesis assessing sleep and circadian function in children aged 5 to 13\u2009years old with a diagnosis of ADHD.\n\n\nRESULTS\n148 studies were included for review, incorporating data from 42,353 children. We found that sleep disturbances in ADHD are common and that they may worsen behavioral outcomes; moreover, sleep interventions may improve ADHD symptoms, and pharmacotherapy for ADHD may impact sleep.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nSleep disturbance may represent a clinically important feature of ADHD in children, which might be therapeutically targeted in a useful way. There are a number of important gaps in the literature. We set out a manifesto for future research in the area of sleep, circadian rhythms, and ADHD.