The long-term survival of children with a central nervous system (CNS) tumour is improving. However, they experience late effects, including altered habits and patterns of sleep. We evaluated the presence and type of
sleep disorders and
daytime sleepiness in these children, and its associations with clinical characteristics and daily performance (
fatigue and psychosocial functioning). In a cross-sectional study at the outpatient clinic of the Emma Children's Hospital AMC (February-June 2010), sleep,
fatigue and psychosocial functioning were analysed in 31 CNS tumour patients (mean age: 11.8years; 20 boys) and compared with 78 patients treated for a non-CNS
malignancy (mean age: 9.7years; 41 boys) and norm data. Questionnaires applied were the
Sleep Disorder Scale for Children, the Epworth
Sleepiness Scale, the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Sleeping habits and endocrine deficiencies were assessed with a self-developed questionnaire. Increased
somnolence was found in CNS tumour patients compared with those with a non-CNS
malignancy (8.8±2.8 versus 7.5±2.7; P<0.05). Both patient groups reported more problems (P<0.01) than the norm with initiating and maintaining sleep. No specific risk factors were identified for a
sleep disorder in CNS tumour patients, but their excessive
somnolence was correlated with lower
fatigue related quality of life (QoL) (r=-0.78, P<0.001) and worse psychosocial functioning (r=0.63, P<0.001). In conclusion, children treated for a CNS tumour have increased
somnolence, significantly increasing
fatigue and worsening daily functioning. Further investigation should focus on possibilities to improve sleep quality and diminish
fatigue.