The prevalence of nightmares in pediatric oncology: a scoping review

Abstract

This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on the prevalence of nightmares in pediatric oncology patients. Nightmares are common in children and may be exacerbated by the trauma of cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, their prevalence and impact in pediatric oncology remain poorly understood. A comprehensive search was conducted in the following databases: CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, and MEDLINE, including grey literature. Articles were included if there was a report of nightmare prevalence in children aged 2–17 with a cancer diagnosis. Of 546 articles identified, three met the inclusion criteria. The three included studies reported nightmare prevalence ranging from 16.9 to 51% among pediatric oncology patients. Preliminary evidence suggests a heightened prevalence of nightmares in children with cancer. There is a critical need for validated nightmare-specific assessment tools and further research to distinguish between idiopathic and trauma-related nightmares. Addressing this gap is essential for improving sleep health and overall quality of life in pediatric cancer patients/survivors.