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Infants with colic have a normal sleep structure at 2 and 7 months of age
J Kirjavainen1, T Kirjavainen, V Huhtala
1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Insights
Infants with colic had shorter reported sleep times but normal sleep structure on polygraphy. The study suggests infantile colic is not associated with a sleep disorder.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
- Infant Health
Background:
- Infantile colic is a common condition in newborns, often causing parental distress.
- The relationship between colic and infant sleep patterns requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare nighttime sleep structure in infants diagnosed with colic versus a control group.
- To determine if infantile colic is associated with sleep disorders.
Main Methods:
- Sleep and cry times were recorded via daily diaries at 5 weeks and 6 months.
- Overnight polygraphic sleep recordings were conducted at 2 and 7 months of age.
Main Results:
- Infants with colic reported shorter daily sleep times at 5 weeks (P=.001).
- Polygraphic sleep structure was similar between groups at 2 and 7 months.
- Infants with colic had more obstructive apneas during REM sleep at 2 months (P=.04) but fewer awakenings at 7 months (P=.003).
Conclusions:
- Infants with colic exhibit normal sleep polygraphic findings at 2 and 7 months.
- Despite parental reports of shorter sleep, infantile colic is not indicated as a sleep disorder based on objective measures.
Objective:
To compare nighttime sleep structure between infants with colic and a control group.
Study Design:
Sleep and cry times of 15 infants with colic and 16 infants in a control group were recorded with the use of a daily diary at the ages of 5 weeks and 6 months. The diary was kept at home for a 1-week period. Overnight polygraphic sleep recordings in a sleep laboratory were performed when the infants were 2 months of age and were repeated for 11 infants with colic and 14 infants in a control group at 7 months of age.
Results:
Daily sleep time was shorter in infants with colic compared with the control group at 5 weeks of age (P =.001). Polygraphic data showed a similar sleep structure between the study groups at 2 and 7 months of age. Infants with colic had somewhat more obstructive apneas during rapid eye movement sleep at the age of 2 months (P =.04), and they had fewer awakenings at the age of 7 months than the control group (P =.003).
Conclusion:
Infants with colic had normal sleep polygraphic finding at 2 and 7 months of age including sleep structure, movements, and breathing. Despite the shorter reported daily sleep times, the polygraphic data did not suggest infantile colic to be associated with a sleep disorder.