Altered sleeping arrangements in pediatric patients with epilepsy

Parental fears concerning seizure occurrence may be associated with behavio ral changes within the home environment. One possible change involves sleep ing arrangements. Questionnaires concerning demographics, medical history a nd sleeping arrangements were completed by parents of 179 children with epi lepsy and by parents of 155 children with diabetes for comparison purpose B ased on par ental response, 40 (22%) children with epilepsy changed to less independent sleeping arrangements. Logistic regression suggested that pare ntal concern over seizure occurrence was highly associated with this change (p=<0.001). In contrast, 13 (8%) of the children with diabetes changed to a less independent sleep pattern. Results suggest changes in sleeping arran gements may alert the pediatrician to possible parental anxiety that may ne ed to be addressed.