Sleep Review: In Children with Kidney Disease, Poor Sleep Linked to Worse Neurocognitive and Emotional-behavioral Functioning

Sleep problems and fatigue may affect the cognitive function of children with chronic kidney disease. The findings come from a study presented at ASN (American Society of Nephrology) Kidney Week in November.

Children with chronic kidney disease face a higher risk for experiencing neurocognitive deficits. To examine whether sleep problems or fatigue may play a role, Rebecca Johnson, PhD, of Children’s Mercy Kansas City, and her colleagues examined clinical trial data related to fatigue, sleep disturbance, low energy, and trouble sleeping in 1,030 children with mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease.

Among the children in the study, 26% experienced fatigue, 30% reported sleep disturbances, 39% experienced trouble sleeping, and 52% had low energy.

Fatigue and sleep problems are prevalent among children with chronic kidney disease and may affect neurocognitive and emotional-behavioral functioning,” says Johnson in a release. “Assessment of sleep problems and fatigue, interventions to improve sleep, and treating medical comorbidities may promote more positive emotional-behavioral and neurocognitive outcomes for children with chronic kidney disease.”

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