Pediatrics
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From the Journals

Skin Disease in Kids Linked to Sleep Disorders

Children with psoriasis had a 3.2-fold higher risk for hypersomnia, sleep apnea, and nearly double the risk for depression, researchers report.

Conexiant

A recent study highlighted significant links between pediatric inflammatory skin diseases and increased risks of sleep and psychological disorders.

Published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the retrospective analysis, which included over 190,000 children, examined data spanning 20 years from the U.S. Collaborative Network and identified heightened risks for sleep disturbances and mental health conditions among children diagnosed with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis (AD), and urticaria.

Children with psoriasis exhibited the most negative sleep-related outcomes, with a 3.2-fold higher risk for hypersomnia, a 2.1-fold elevated risk for sleep apnea, and nearly double the risk for depression. Psoriasis patients also faced an increased likelihood of developing fatigue.

Children with AD and urticaria also showed a notable increase in risks for psychological comorbidities. Both groups had a 1.7-fold higher risk for general sleep disorders and a 1.6-fold elevated risk for anxiety disorders. Separately, children with AD alone exhibit a 1.5-fold higher risk for anxiety disorders.

Gender-specific analysis revealed that girls faced a disproportionately higher risk of insomnia, depression, and anxiety compared to boys. Notably, girls with AD had a 2.1-fold greater risk of depression, while girls with urticaria exhibited the highest risk for anxiety disorders.

"Children in particular have a significant need for screenings of these comorbidities, which should be implemented in routine care. Untreated sleep disorders can not only cause cardiovascular and psychological disorders but also possibly result in reduced school performance, underachievement, and overall reduced quality of life," said Caroline Mann, M.D. of the Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

Researchers acknowledged limitations, including the use of electronic health insurance data, which may not represent the general population and could be subject to diagnostic inaccuracies. 

Full disclosures are available in the published study.