Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

Sleep difficulties in infants at risk for developmental delays: a longitudinal study

Anat Scher1, Lillian Tse, Virginia E Hayes

  • 1Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. anats@construct.haifa.ac.il

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|February 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Infant sleep patterns were similar across risk groups for neuromotor delays. Neuromotor development did not predict sleep problems in infants, suggesting distinct developmental pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Infants at risk for neuromotor delays may experience sleep disturbances.
  • Understanding the relationship between neuromotor development and sleep is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep patterns in infants with and without neuromotor delay risks.
  • To assess if neuromotor risk indicators predict sleep problems in infancy.

Main Methods:

  • 142 infants were assessed at 4-6 and 10-12 months using neuromotor and sleep questionnaires.
  • Infants were categorized into higher risk, lower risk, and no risk groups based on a cumulative risk index.
  • The Harris Infant Neuromotor Test and Morrell's Infant Sleep Questionnaire were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Sleep scores were comparable across all risk groups at both assessment ages.
  • Sleep difficulties decreased with age in lower-risk infants but increased in higher-risk infants.
  • Neuromotor attainments did not correlate with sleep fragmentation or settling issues.

Conclusions:

  • Infant sleep patterns are generally similar regardless of neuromotor delay risk.
  • Caregiver-reported sleep-wake regulation in infants appears independent of neuromotor achievements.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale19:15

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares often...
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors01:27

Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...