Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 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

Prenatal origins of poor sleep in children

Anu-Katriina Pesonen1, Katri Räikkönen, Karen Matthews

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Sleep
|September 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Small body size at birth and prenatal alcohol exposure are linked to poor sleep in children. These early life factors may predict sleep disturbances, highlighting potential prenatal origins of childhood sleep problems.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Prenatal Health

Background:

  • Childhood sleep disturbances are common and can impact development.
  • Prenatal exposures and birth characteristics are potential, yet understudied, predictors of sleep health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between small body size at birth and prenatal exposure to tobacco or alcohol with poor sleep and sleep disturbances in 8-year-old children.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiologic cohort study of 289 children.
  • Sleep duration and efficiency measured via actigraphy for 7 nights.
  • Parent-reported sleep disturbances assessed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children.

Main Results:

  • Lower birth weight and length were associated with significantly lower sleep efficiency.
  • Children exposed prenatally to alcohol showed increased odds of short sleep and low sleep efficiency.
  • Small body size at birth (decreased ponderal index) was linked to a higher risk of parent-reported sleep disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Poor sleep in children may originate during the prenatal period.
  • Prenatal alcohol consumption and conditions related to small birth size are potential mechanisms affecting childhood sleep.
  • Findings underscore the importance of prenatal factors in pediatric sleep health.
Abstract

More Related Videos

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

Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents07:33

Noninvasive, High-throughput Determination of Sleep Duration in Rodents

Published on: April 18, 2018

Related Concept Videos

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,...
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
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:
Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance01:24

Primary Motives: Sleep, Sex, and Pain Avoidance

Primary motives such as sleep, sex, and pain avoidance are crucial drivers of behavior in humans and animals. These motives ensure survival, reproductive success, and overall well-being by prompting actions that meet essential bodily needs.
Sleep is a fundamental physiological drive that fosters a state of restfulness crucial for several bodily functions. It facilitates body restoration, the process by which the body repairs, rejuvenates, and maintains itself during sleep, including memory...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.