Sleep Health In Children Research Articles

Does context matter? A multilevel analysis of neighborhood disadvantage and children's sleep health

To determine how demographic, socioeconomic, and neighborhood characteristics are associated with bedtimes among US kindergarteners. Parents reported bedtimes of their children as well as personal, household, and residential characteristics via interviews in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten (ECLS-K) Class of 1998-1999. The ECLS-K links individual households to US Census tracts. A random selection of 1,280 schools and surrounding communities in the US. A random selection of 16,936 kindergarteners and their parents. The 2 outcomes were regular and latest weekday bedtimes of kindergarteners. Through a series of nested multilevel regression models, these outcomes were regressed on individual- and neighborhood-level variables, including race/ethnicity, sex, family type, household income, mother's educational attainment, neighborhood disorder, and several additional neighborhood characteristics. Models showed significant (P < .05) bedtime disparities by race/ethnicity, sex, family income, and mother's educational attainment. Additionally, models tended to indicate that kindergarteners from disadvantaged neighborhoods experienced later bedtimes than children from more advantaged areas. Neighborhood characteristics accounted for a portion of racial/ethnic differences, suggesting that bedtime disparities are partly rooted in disparate environmental conditions. Reducing disparities in childhood sleep may require programs that target not only children and their parents, but also the communities in which they reside.

0995 Nightcap For School-nights: Association Between Milk Intake And Sleep Duration In First-graders

Abstract Introduction Insufficient sleep has been identified as an obesity risk factor due to mechanistic pathways contributing to higher carbohydrate intake, including in children. Dietary intake of macronutrients, such as fats and protein found in milk, may serve as a modifiable risk factor for adequate sleep. We hypothesize that milk intake among a sample of urban first-graders may be associated with sleep duration. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of parent reports of an adapted version of the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Block Dietary Data Systems Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) were analyzed among a sample of 837 Black children in Brooklyn, New York. Summary scores were created for milk type. Milk intake was classified by fat content: whole milk and 2% categorized as high-fat, and 1% and skim as low-fat. Independent t-test, correlations and regression analysis to identify associations between parent reports of child’s sleep duration and milk intake were conducted. Results On average, children were 7.3 + 0.6 years old and 52% female. Nearly 57% of parents were immigrants. Children’s mean BMI was 17.27, approximately at the 85th BMI percentile according to CDC index-for-age percentiles. On average, FFQ data reported children consumed high-fat milk 6 days a week. Linear variable regression analysis between high-fat milk intake and sufficient sleep were significant (β =, 0.090, p &amp;lt; 0.05). BMI was significantly associated with high-fat milk intake (β= 0.17, p&amp;lt;0.05). However, high-fat milk intake was not significantly associated with (in)sufficient sleep, after controlling for BMI, sex and age. No difference was reported between immigrant parents and U.S. born parents. Conclusion Plausibly, high-fat milk is contributing to satiety and longer sleep duration. Future studies should include more comprehensive measurement of milk consumption (i.e. time of day and volume) to consider possible effects on children’s sleep. Actigraphy measures and sleep diaries should also be considered. Support Bezos Grant and Community Service Plan grant.

0964 Out Like a Light: Preliminary Results of Parent-Child Dyad Use of an Audio-Based Mobile Application Aiding Bedtime Routine and Sleep Health

Abstract Introduction Adequate sleep is essential for a child’s growth and development. However, a growing number of children are experiencing trouble falling asleep. Smartphone audio-based mobile applications with soothing melodies and calming nighttime stories may improve sleep onset. Our study examined the efficacy of Moshi Twilight, an app designed to improve sleep onset, among children ages 3-8 years old using a parent-child dyadic approach. Methods Our within-subjects pre-post study design focused on healthy children studied over 10 days, spanning 3 weeknights and 2 weekend nights. During the baseline (Days 1-5) and exposure (Days 6-10) conditions the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire was used to measure children’s sleep behavior. The PROMIS and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess parents’ sleep quality. Parents exposed their child to 1 story per night (15-20 minutes) during the exposured condition. Statistical analysis was based on paired t-tests, independent t-tests, and correlations. Results On average, participating parents were 37 (SD +9.6) year-old mothers. The sample was: 60% Black; 20% White, 20% other race/ethnicity. On average, children were 4 (SD + 0.78) years old and 50% male. Paired t-tests showed significant differences in children’s sleep onset within 20 minutes (t=2.582, 95% CI 0.116, 2.634, p= 0.036). Significant correlations were noted for children’s bedtime consistency (r = -0.755, p = 0.030), falling asleep in own bed (r = 0.735, p=0.015) and sleep duration (r = -0.715, p=0.046,) Significant correlations and paired t-test in parents’ sleep onset were also found (r = 0.744, p = 0.014); (mean= -1.2, t= -3.674, 95% CI -1.939, -0.461, p=0.005) Conclusion Our results showed that the audio-based sleep app, Moshi Twilight, might be useful in improving sleep health among both children and parents. This could be included in enhance bedtime routine among preschool-aged children. Support Bezos Grant and Community Service Plan grant.

Identifying Modifiable Factors Linking Parenting and Sleep in Racial/Ethnic Minority Children.

Young children from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds are at risk for poor sleep, yet few studies have tested behavioral interventions in diverse samples. This study tests factors that could contribute to associations between parenting skills and child sleep to inform interventions for children at risk of poor sleep outcomes. Specifically, we examined household chaos, caregiver sleep knowledge, and caregiver sleep quality as putative mediators that may be relevant to interventions seeking to improve child sleep. Caregivers (M age 31.83 years; 46.2% African American; 52.1% Hispanic/Latinx, 95% female) of 119 1- to 5-year-old children (M age 3.99 years; 43.7% African American; 42.0% Hispanic/Latinx, 14.3% biracial; 51.3% female) completed measures of parenting practices, child and caregiver sleep, household chaos, and sleep knowledge. Indices of pediatric insomnia symptoms (difficulty falling/remaining asleep) and sleep health (sleep duration/hygiene) were constructed based on previous research. Parallel mediation models were conducted using ordinary least squares path analysis. Lower household chaos significantly attenuated the relationship between positive parenting skills and better child sleep health, suggesting chaos may serve as a potential mediator. There were no significant contributing factors in the pediatric insomnia model. Sleep knowledge was related to sleep health and caregiver sleep quality was related to pediatric insomnia, independent of parenting skills. Interventions to improve sleep in early childhood may be enhanced by targeting parenting skills and household routines to reduce chaos. Future longitudinal research is needed to test household chaos and other potential mediators of child sleep outcomes over time.

Prevalence of sleep problems and its relation to sleeping habits in toddlers

Background: Sleep problems in children have serious physical and psychological consequences such as obesity, aggression and attention deficit disorder in toddlers. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of sleep problems and its relation with sleeping habits of toddlers in 2017.&#x0D; Methods: By random sampling from rural families of Razan city of Hamadan province, 120 mothers of 12- to 36-month-old children were selected and data collection tools included contextual questions, medical history and 33-question questionnaire of children's sleep habits (CSHQ) completed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23, independent t-test, chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of the children was 22.82±7.53 months and 55% of them were boys and the prevalence of sleep problems was 70.8% (95% confidence interval: 71.9-69.7). The average sleep duration of the children was 11 hours and more than 60% of the children went to bed after 23 o'clock. Results show that age is an important factor in most dimensions of CSHQ and age predicts daytime sleepiness (β = -0.263), nocturnal wakefulness (β = -0.113) and duration, Sleep time (β = -0.108) and sleep resistance (β = 0.194) respectively. Also, parents' education and child's current weight were predictors of subscales of CSHQ questionnaire (P &lt;0.05). In addition, there was a positive and significant correlation between sleep duration with infant sleep anxiety (r = 0.527) and resistance to sleep (r = 0.473) as well as nocturnal wakefulness with parasomnia (r = 0.416) (P &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Given the alarming prevalence of sleep problems in toddlers in the present study and the impact of some changeable factors on children's sleep health, designing interventions aimed at educating mothers to improve healthy sleep habits in toddlers is necessary.

Prevalence of sleep problems and its relation to sleeping habits in toddlers

Background: Sleep problems in children have serious physical and psychological consequences such as obesity, aggression and attention deficit disorder in toddlers. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of sleep problems and its relation with sleeping habits of toddlers in 2017.&#x0D; Methods: By random sampling from rural families of Razan city of Hamadan province, 120 mothers of 12- to 36-month-old children were selected and data collection tools included contextual questions, medical history and 33-question questionnaire of children's sleep habits (CSHQ) completed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23, independent t-test, chi-square, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of the children was 22.82±7.53 months and 55% of them were boys and the prevalence of sleep problems was 70.8% (95% confidence interval: 71.9-69.7). The average sleep duration of the children was 11 hours and more than 60% of the children went to bed after 23 o'clock. Results show that age is an important factor in most dimensions of CSHQ and age predicts daytime sleepiness (β = -0.263), nocturnal wakefulness (β = -0.113) and duration, Sleep time (β = -0.108) and sleep resistance (β = 0.194) respectively. Also, parents' education and child's current weight were predictors of subscales of CSHQ questionnaire (P &lt;0.05). In addition, there was a positive and significant correlation between sleep duration with infant sleep anxiety (r = 0.527) and resistance to sleep (r = 0.473) as well as nocturnal wakefulness with parasomnia (r = 0.416) (P &lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusion: Given the alarming prevalence of sleep problems in toddlers in the present study and the impact of some changeable factors on children's sleep health, designing interventions aimed at educating mothers to improve healthy sleep habits in toddlers is necessary.

Maternal Perceived Work Schedule Flexibility Predicts Child Sleep Mediated by Bedtime Routines

Rigid work schedules are negatively associated with adults’ sleep. Less is known about whether parents’ work schedule flexibility influences their children’s sleep. We examined associations of mothers’ perceived work schedule flexibility with their children’s sleep over time and whether these associations were mediated by bedtime routine adherence. Two-waves of data were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged households in large US cities (N = 1040). When the focal children were ages 5 and 9, mothers reported their work schedule flexibility and their child’s bedtime adherence, sleep duration, and difficulty getting to sleep. Cross-sectionally, higher levels of maternal perceived work schedule flexibility were associated with longer child sleep duration and a lower likelihood of having difficulty getting to sleep; these associations were mediated by greater child bedtime adherence. Longitudinally, increases in mothers’ perceived work schedule flexibility from child ages 5 to 9 predicted increases in child bedtime adherence at age 9, which, in turn, predicted increases in child sleep duration at age 9. Increases in perceived work schedule flexibility also predicted a decreased likelihood of children having difficulty getting to sleep, but this association was not mediated by changes in child bedtime adherence. These results suggest that mothers’ perceived work schedule flexibility may be a social determinant of child sleep health, largely through influencing bedtime adherence. Future interventions could consider how to improve bedtime practices in families with working mothers, including by increasing work schedule flexibility perceived by working parents to promote child sleep health.

The integration of pediatric sleep health into public health in Canada

The concept of sleep health is gaining momentum globally. Rather than “medicalizing” sleep with a focus on sleep disorders and their treatment, there is growing interest in sleep health promotion for all and on the prevention of sleep problems. In Canada, sleep health is increasingly becoming part of a holistic vision of health and provides a metric for health promotion efforts. One of the outcomes of this evolving understanding of sleep health in Canada has been the release of the world's first integrated 24-hour movement guidelines for the pediatric population in 2016. These were the first systematic review-informed sleep guidelines in Canada, and provided important benchmarks for surveillance. They also integrated sleep health with other lifestyle behaviors by putting the emphasis on the full 24-hour period rather than nocturnal sleep duration. Among the possible solutions to counter the adverse effects of insufficient sleep, public health policies are crucial to help prioritizing sleep health in children. The future of pediatric sleep health in Canada is bright, and we need to align our efforts and continue to push for this important topic in the public health arena. It is expected that this action will result in the prioritization of sleep health by the public health community in Canada so that it becomes an equal counterpart to the attention and resources given to other lifestyle behaviors such as healthy nutrition and sufficient amounts of physical activity.

0991 LONGITUDINAL INDIRECT EFFECTS OF MOTHERS’ WORK SCHEDULE FLEXIBILITY ON CHILDREN’S SLEEP: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF BEDTIME ADHERENCE

Among adults, rigid work schedules are negatively associated with sleep health. Less is known about whether parents’ work schedules influence children’s sleep and how. This study examined associations of mothers’ work schedule flexibility with children’s sleep over time and whether these associations were mediated by children’s bedtime adherence. Longitudinal, two-wave data were drawn from a sample of working mothers (Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study) when the focal child was age 5 and 9 (N=1135). At each wave, mothers rated the flexibility of their work schedule (1=not flexible to 4=very flexible), child’s habitual sleep duration (in hours) and difficulty getting to sleep (0=no, 1=yes), and weekday frequency (0–5 nights) with which their child adhered to their bedtime. Mediation (bootstrapping) modeling analyses adjusted for child age and gender, and mothers’ sociodemographic characteristics, work hours, and work schedules (night/evening/weekend/variable). Cross-sectionally, greater mothers’ work schedule flexibility predicted more frequent bedtime adherence (p<0.001) which, in turn, predicted children having longer sleep duration (p<0.001) and less difficulty getting to sleep (p<0.001). With every increase in bedtime adherence, average sleep duration was 10 minutes/day longer and the odds of having difficulty getting to sleep were 13% lower. Longitudinally, increases in mothers’ work schedule flexibility (from child ages 5 to 9) predicted increases in bedtime adherence (p<0.05), which, in turn, predicted increases in child sleep duration at age 9, by 8 minutes/day more than at age 5 (p<0.001). Increases in mothers’ work schedule flexibility predicted decreased likelihood of child’s difficulty getting to sleep (p<0.01), but this association was not mediated by changes in bedtime adherence. Bedtime adherence mediates the association of mothers’ temporal work flexibility with their children’s sleep. Future interventions should consider how to improve bedtime practices in families with working mothers in order to promote child sleep health. R01HD073352 (L. Hale, PI)

0983 PARENTING STRESS IS BETTER PREDICTED BY PARENTS’ SLEEP QUALITY THAN THEIR CHILD’S SLEEP QUALITY, IN A COMMUNITY SAMPLE.

A vast epidemiological study indicated that children’s sleep problems are a parenting stress (PS) risk factor. However, that study did not look at the parents’ sleep problems as a potential predictor of PS. In fact, PS has only been associated with parental sleep difficulties when the child presents a chronic health condition (e.g., developmental disability). The purpose of this study is to examine if the parent and child’s sleep are important predictors of PS in families not reporting salient sleep or health problems with their child. PS and sleep habits of the parent and child were assessed using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire (CSHQ). It is well known that PS is associated to low social support (SS) and socioeconomic status (SES). Consequently, these variables were measured and added to the analyses, using Moi Comme Parent (MCP, social support), the mother’s employment status, highest grade completed and family income. Measures were administered to 89 mothers of children (1mth-5y), recruited during community activities. Correlations between PSI-SF, PSQI and CSHQ total scores, MCP score and socioeconomic variables were computed. A multiple linear regression model was then produced with the significant correlations. No relationship was found between PS and the mother’s employment status. Significant associations were found between PS and the mother’s highest grade completed (r=-0.27; p<0.01), household income (r=-0.25; p<0.01), positivism of the entourage (r=-0.43; p<0.01), child bedtime resistance (r=0.37; p<0.01), parent’s sleep onset latency (SOL, r=0.40; p<0.01) and parent’s total sleep time (TST, r=-0.35; p<0.01). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, accounting for SS and SES, parent’s SOL (β=0.25; p<0.05) and parent’s TST (β=-0.19; p<0.05) were significant predictors of PS, whereas children’s sleep could not explain a significant proportion of the variance left, with an adjusted R2 of 0.318 for the model (p<0.01). Our results confirm that, in this non-clinical population, parents’ sleep variables were a significant predictor of PS, whereas the child’s sleep variables weren’t. Future studies and interventions aiming at PS should consider both child’s and parents’ sleep variables. N/A

Effect of animated movie in combating child sleep health problems.

ObjectiveSleep deprivation among teens is a major health issue. Only 15% of teens get 8.5 h of sleep on school nights. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor grades, sleepiness and moodiness. We undertook a study to assess the prevalence of sleep habit disturbance among elementary school students in South Texas with Hispanic ethnicity predominance. We also found how much a video based on sleep education had an impact on these children.MethodOnce the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) approved the collection of baseline sleep data, questionnaires were administered using the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ.) These questionnaires were distributed prior to the viewing of the educational and animated movie KNIGHTS (Keep Nurturing and Inspiring Good Habits in Teen Sleep). Four months later, a random follow-up was performed and the children were requested to respond to the same CSHQ.Results264 children from two elementary schools participated in this educational program. At baseline, 55.56% of the children had trouble sleeping. When the questionnaire was administered four months later, only 23.26% (p < 0.05) had trouble sleeping. Additionally, at baseline, approximately 60–70% children had some baseline bedtime resistance, anxiety dealing with sleep, issues with sleep duration and/or awakenings in the middle of the night. In the follow up questionnaire, results showed significant improvements in overall sleep habits, bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety and night awakenings amongst students (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were seen in sleep duration and daytime sleepiness.ConclusionSleep deprivation and good sleep habits remain as a pervasive challenge among elementary school students. Administering an animated video about sleep education along with a provider-based education may be an effective tool for educating elementary school students and decreasing the prevalence of these sleep-related issues. Future prospective randomized studies are suggested.

Good Sleep Health in Urban Children With Asthma: A Risk and Resilience Approach.

To identify children demonstrating "good" sleep health in a sample of urban children with persistent asthma; to compare sociocontextual, asthma clinical characteristics, and sleep behaviors in children with "good" versus "poor" sleep health; and to examine protective effects of family-based health behaviors on sleep health. Participants were 249 Black (33%), Latino (51%) and non-Latino White (16%) children with asthma, ages 7-9 years, and their primary caregivers. 32 percent of children had "good" sleep health. Well-controlled asthma and better lung function were more likely in this group. In the context of urban risks, sleep hygiene appeared to be a protective factor associated with better sleep quality. The protective effect of asthma management functioned differently by ethnic group. This study identifies protective processes that may guard against urban risks to optimize sleep health in children with asthma. Intervention programs can be tailored to consider specific supports that enhance sleep health in this high-risk group.

Attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of caregivers and rehabilitation providers about disabled children's sleep health: a qualitative study.

BackgroundChildren with disabilities are more likely to have sleep disturbances than children without disabilities. Identifying attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions of caregivers and health professionals is essential in developing effective intervention programs to improve disabled children’s sleep health. However, no such qualitative data about adults who have key roles in the life and daytime activities of children with disabilities are available. This qualitative study aimed to understand attitudes, beliefs, knowledge, and perceptions about disabled children’s sleep hygiene among caregivers and rehabilitation providers of children with disabilities.MethodsTwenty seven adults, including nine primary caregivers and eighteen rehabilitation providers, participated in five focus group discussions between September and December 2012 at the Rehabilitation Center in Punta Arenas, Chile. A trained facilitator guided focus group discussions using a semi-structured script. Audiotapes and transcripts of focus group discussions were reviewed and analyzed for recurrent themes.ResultsParticipants identified seven themes related to children’s sleep hygiene: lifestyle behaviors, family factors, children’s disabilities and/or comorbidities, environmental factors, adults’ responsibilities for children’s sleep, perception of good sleep, and parental distress about children’s sleep problems. While both caregivers and rehabilitation providers recognized the importance of sleep for children’s health and functioning, they differed in their understanding of how sleep hygiene practices influence sleep. Rehabilitation providers recognized the negative influence of electronics on sleep and the positive influence of sleep routines. In contrast, caregivers reported use of television/movie watching and stimulants as coping strategies for managing children’s sleep problems.ConclusionsCaregivers may benefit from better understanding the influence of electronics and stimulant use on child sleep health. Rehabilitation providers are well positioned to provide educational messages to both children and caregivers in order to change their attitudes, perceptions, and practices surrounding sleep. These qualitative data are valuable in developing intervention programs aimed at improving sleep health among children with disabilities.

Effect of Animated Movie in Combating Child Sleep Health Problems

Objective: Sleep deprivation among teens is a major health issue. Only 15% of teens get 8.5 h of sleep on school nights. Sleep deprivation can lead to poor grades, sleepiness and moodiness. We undertook a study to assess the prevalence of sleep habit disturbance among elementary school students in South Texas with Hispanic ethnicity predominance. We also found how much a video based on sleep education had an impact on these children. Method: Once the Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) approved the collection of baseline sleep data, questionnaires were administered using the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ.) These questionnaires were distributed prior to the viewing of the educational and animated movie KNIGHTS (Keep Nurturing and Inspiring Good Habits in Teen Sleep). Four months later, a random follow-up was performed and the children were requested to respond to the same CSHQ. Results: 264 children from two elementary schools participated in this educational program. At baseline, 55.56% of the children had trouble sleeping. When the questionnaire was administered four months later, only 23.26% (p < 0.05) had trouble sleeping. Additionally, at baseline, approximately 60–70% children had some baseline bedtime resistance, anxiety dealing with sleep, issues with sleep duration and/or awakenings in the middle of the night. In the follow up questionnaire, results showed significant improvements in overall sleep habits, bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety and night awakenings amongst students (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were seen in sleep duration and daytime sleepiness. Conclusion: Sleep deprivation and good sleep habits remain as a pervasive challenge among elementary school students. Administering an animated video about sleep education along with a provider-based education may be an effective tool for educating elementary school students and decreasing the prevalence of these sleep-related issues. Future prospective randomized studies are suggested.

Changes in Sleep Duration, Timing, and Quality as Children Transition to Kindergarten

Sleep can be seen as a biologically driven behavior shaped by cultural context. A “poor fit” occurs when contextual demands for the timing and duration sleep periods are incompatible with the underlying biology. Such contextual factors are well-known for adults, yet little is known of the contextual factors that shape young children's sleep health and to what degree such factors impact sleep duration, timing, and quality. This study attempted to identify how the transition to kindergarten was associated with changes in sleep timing, duration, and quality for children enrolled in preschool prior to attending kindergarten vs. those who were not. Wrist actigraphy in 38 5-year-old children was collected at three longitudinal points before and after the start of kindergarten. Our data suggested that the transition to kindergarten was associated with a reduction in weekday sleep (mostly due to lost napping) and an advance in the weekday nocturnal sleep period that was most pronounced for children not enrolled in preschool prior to kindergarten. These sleep changes paralleled objective and caregiver-reported data of increased sleep pressure that lasted well into the first month of kindergarten.

Sleep, School Performance, and a School-Based Intervention among School-Aged Children: A Sleep Series Study in China

BackgroundSufficient sleep during childhood is essential to ensure a transition into a healthy adulthood. However, chronic sleep loss continues to increase worldwide. In this context, it is imperative to make sleep a high-priority and take action to promote sleep health among children. The present series of studies aimed to shed light on sleep patterns, on the longitudinal association of sleep with school performance, and on practical intervention strategy for Chinese school-aged children.Methods and FindingsA serial sleep researches, including a national cross-sectional survey, a prospective cohort study, and a school-based sleep intervention, were conducted in China from November 2005 through December 2009. The national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8 cities and a random sample of 20,778 children aged 9.0±1.61 years participated in the survey. The five-year prospective cohort study included 612 children aged 6.8±0.31 years. The comparative cross-sectional study (baseline: n = 525, aged 10.80±0.41; post-intervention follow-up: n = 553, aged 10.81±0.33) was undertaken in 6 primary schools in Shanghai. A battery of parent and teacher reported questionnaires were used to collect information on children’s sleep behaviors, school performance, and sociodemographic characteristics. The mean sleep duration was 9.35±0.77 hours. The prevalence of daytime sleepiness was 64.4% (sometimes: 37.50%; frequently: 26.94%). Daytime sleepiness was significantly associated with impaired attention, learning motivation, and particularly, academic achievement. By contrast, short sleep duration only related to impaired academic achievement. After delaying school start time 30 minutes and 60 minutes, respectively, sleep duration correspondingly increased by 15.6 minutes and 22.8 minutes, respectively. Moreover, intervention significantly improved the sleep duration and daytime sleepiness.ConclusionsInsufficient sleep and daytime sleepiness commonly existed and positively associated with the impairment of school performance, especially academic achievement, among Chinese school-aged children. The effectiveness of delaying school staring time emphasized the benefits of optimal school schedule regulation to children’s sleep health.

Impaired Sleep-Related Learning in Children with Williams Syndrome

Recent research has established that sleep is essential for memory consolidation in learning and academic performance of children and adults. Similar evidence in childhood is emerging. Conversely, sleep deprivation and/or sleep problems usually weaken these functions. The present study investigates the association between sleep related learning in school-aged children with Williams syndrome (N=14) compared to the typically developing children (N=14). Sleep was measured using actigraphy and parents completed the Child Sleep Health Questionnaire. Accuracy performance on a well-characterised procedural learning task- the finger tapping motor sequence task (FTT) was assessed on three sessions. Children in the typically developing group showed increased accuracy scores following a period of sleep (14% improvement) compared with wake (drop of 2%). In contrast children with Williams syndrome showed an initial improvement in accuracy on the training session, albeit slow, but their accuracy deteriorated following a period of sleep. The sleep-related decrement in performance on the procedural task may reflect sleep problems that are now well characterised in the WS group. This study demonstrated the contribution of sleep to procedural learning in typically developing children. Further studies may elucidate the reasons why similar sleep related benefits are not seen in children with Williams syndrome. Meanwhile practitioners and families should ensure that children obtain adequate sleep in order to maximise their attention readiness to learn and achieve optimum cognitive performance.

Health Disparities in Sleep Medicine: Responses to the American Sleep Medicine Foundation Humanitarian Projects Award Program

Health Disparities in Sleep Medicine: Responses to the American Sleep Medicine Foundation Humanitarian Projects Award Program