Aberrant sleep patterns in children with the rett syndrome

Previous studies on the characteristics of disturbed sleep I wake patterns in children with the Rett syndrome have yielded inconsistent findings. In the current study, momentary time sampling procedures were used to measure the sleep/wake patterns of 20 girls with classical Rett syndrome. These patients had significantly more total sleep than age peers (M = 110.1; Z_m = 2.58; p = .01), significantly less nighttime sleep (M= 80.8; Z_m = −7.53; p<.0001), and significantly more daytime sleep (M = 24.5; Z_m=8.71; p<.0001). Night sleep was negatively correlated with age (r = -.59; p<.01); day sleep was positively correlated with age (r = .54; p = .01). These girls also displayed night wakings on 20.9% of nights, delayed sleep onset on 67.8% of nights and early wakings on 24.5% of nights. These data clearly demonstrate that children with the Rett syndrome have markedly impaired sleep/wake patterns and suggests that the sleep dysfunction may worsen over time.