Preterm toddlers have low nighttime sleep quality and high daytime activity

Abstract

A number of studies have been made on the sleep characteristics of children born preterm in an attempt to develop methods to address the sleep problems commonly observed among such children. However, the reported sleep characteristics from these studies vary depending on the observation methods used, i.e., actigraphy, polysomnography and questionnaire. In the current study, to obtain reliable data on the sleep characteristics of preterm-born children, we investigated the difference in sleep properties between 97 preterm and 97 term toddlers of approximately 1.5 years of age using actigraphy. Actigraphy units were attached to the toddlers’ waists with an adjustable elastic belt for 7 consecutive days, and a child sleep diary was completed by their parents. In the study, we found that preterm toddlers had more nocturnal awakenings and more daytime activity, suggesting that preterm-born children may have a different process of sleep development in their early development.

Pediatric pulmonology year in review 2022: Sleep medicine

“…Similarly, Asaka et al 35 found in Japan through actigraphy that preterm toddlers had lower sleep quality compared to term toddlers, with more nocturnal awakenings and higher wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO). Preterm toddlers also had higher daytime activity, which may be associated with poor attention and hyperactivity at school age 35 . A frequent question in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on home oxygen therapy is the safety and timeframe for discontinuation in a secure and stress‐free manner.…”

“…Howarth et al 34 found among a cohort of 172 patients <18 years where 19 were classified as Low Birth Weight, that the latter was associated with increased sleep disruption and sleep efficiency <80%, and a higher likelihood of OSA. Similarly, Asaka et al 35 found in Japan through actigraphy that preterm toddlers had lower sleep quality compared to term toddlers, with more nocturnal awakenings and higher wakefulness after sleep onset (WASO). Preterm toddlers also had higher daytime activity, which may be associated with poor attention and hyperactivity at school age 35 .…”

“…Preterm toddlers also had higher daytime activity, which may be associated with poor attention and hyperactivity at school age. 35 A frequent question in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on home oxygen therapy is the safety and timeframe for discontinuation in a secure and stress-free manner. In infants with BPD and no other concerns for obstructive sleep apnea, recorded home oximetry (RHO) may be a safe and effective way of determining discontinuation of home oxygen.…”