Correlations between Sleep Features and Iron Status in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

A high prevalence of sleep disturbances has been reported in children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), and intellectual disability (ID). The etiology these is heterogeneous and, recently, iron deficiency received increasing attention. This study aims to investigate features NDDs explore a possible correlation between serum status biomarkers qualitative sleep. We included 4- 12-year-old diagnosis ASD, ADHD, or ID assessed their through the children’s habits questionnaire (CSHQ). Venous blood samples were collected ferritin, transferrin, levels. mean CSHQ total score exceeds cut-off all groups children. In ASD group, Parasomnias subscale negatively correlated ferritin levels (Rho = 0.354; p 0.029). Our findings may suggest existence an association status, quality, processes. clinical practice, assessment should be routine for patients NDDs. Furthermore, recommended who have disturbances.