Evaluation of Sleep Structure and Sleep-related Disorders in Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Abstract

Objective: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder in which respiratory problems arise secondary to the involvement of skeletal muscles. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a disorder group characterized by the involvement of anterior horn cells. The most common respiratory problems in DMD and SMA patients are pharyngeal muscle weakness in sleep and sleep-related respiratory disorders. In this study, we evaluated sleep structure and sleep-related disorders in pediatric age group diagnosed with DMD and SMA.