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[An epidemiological study on sleep problems in children aged 1 to 23 months in Shanghai]
Fan Jiang1, Chong-huai Yan, Sheng-hu Wu
1Department of Behavior and Developmental Pediatric, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200127, China.
Insights
Sleep problems are common in Shanghai children (1-23 months), with improper sleep habits prevalent. Maternal anxiety and irregular sleep schedules are key risk factors for pediatric sleep issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Context:
- Sleep problems and improper sleep habits are increasingly recognized in young children.
- Understanding these issues in urban environments like Shanghai is crucial for early intervention.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the prevalence and contributing factors in this specific demographic.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of sleep problems and improper sleep habits in children aged 1 to 23 months in Shanghai.
- To identify familial, social, and behavioral factors associated with these sleep disturbances.
Summary:
- A study of 1,129 children (aged 1-23 months) in Shanghai found a high prevalence of sleep problems (65.90%) and improper sleep habits.
- Boys exhibited higher rates of nightmares, night terrors, snoring, and sleep apnea compared to girls.
- Key risk factors included maternal anxiety, irregular sleep times, parental presence during sleep onset, difficult temperament, and maternal poor sleep during pregnancy.
Impact:
- Findings highlight the significant impact of the social, cultural, and familial environment on pediatric sleep in Shanghai.
- Emphasizes the need for improved parental education on cultivating proper sleep habits and managing childhood sleep issues.
- Provides data to inform public health initiatives and clinical guidance for addressing sleep disturbances in young children.
Objective:
To understand prevalence of sleep problems and presence of improper sleep habit of children aged one to 23 months in Shanghai, and to identify their related factors.
Methods:
Totally, 1 252 normal children, without severe illness and abnormal delivery history, aged one to 23 months were randomly selected from five districts of Shanghai. Under strict quality control system, their parents were interviewed with questionnaire to look into their familial and social environment, as well as sleep-related factors.
Results:
Fully-completed information was obtained in 1 129 of 1 252 children, with a response rate of 90.18%. Prevalence of sleep problems in children was 65.90% in Shanghai, remarkably higher than in the other areas. Prevalence of nightmare, level of fright at night, snore and sleep apnea in boys were significantly higher than those in girls. Prevalence of improper sleep habit in children was also higher, including sleeping with their parents, parental presence at sleep onset and irregular sleep time. Main risk factors related to children's sleep problems were maternal anxiety, children's irregular sleep time, parental presence at sleep onset, difficulty-type temperament and maternal poor sleep during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
In Shanghai, prevalence of sleep problems in children aged one to 23 months was relatively higher and main risk factors for them were social, cultural and familial environment, especially negligence of cultivating proper sleep habit and parental improper response to children's poor sleep behavior.
