Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 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

Clinical practice: sleep problems during infancy

Avi Sadeh1, Yakov Sivan

  • 1Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, The Adler Center for Research in Child Development and Psychopathology, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. sadeh@post.tau.ac.il

European Journal of Pediatrics
|April 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Infant sleep problems like night wakings and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are common. Behavioral interventions often help with night wakings, while SDB requires medical assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Infancy is marked by a high prevalence of sleep disturbances.
  • Common issues include frequent night wakings and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
  • Night waking issues are often behavioral or developmental, whereas SDB can stem from various medical factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the prevalence and nature of infant sleep problems.
  • To emphasize the importance of pediatrician involvement in screening and referral.
  • To underscore the potential developmental impacts and treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of common infant sleep problems.
  • Discussion of etiologies for night wakings and SDB.
  • Emphasis on clinical screening and referral pathways.

Main Results:

  • Most night waking problems are behavioral/developmental and respond to interventions.
  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) has diverse causes and is linked to other disorders.
  • Pediatricians play a crucial role in early identification and management.

Conclusions:

  • Infant sleep problems are common and require attention.
  • Early screening and referral by pediatricians are essential for proper assessment and treatment.
  • Addressing sleep issues in infancy is vital for healthy development.

More Related Videos

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns07:39

How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns

Published on: October 24, 2019

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood08:20

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood

Published on: October 2, 2019

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...
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...
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Insomnia01:27

Insomnia

Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...