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Associations between Blood Zinc Concentrations and Sleep Quality in Childhood: A Cohort Study

Xiaopeng Ji1, Jianghong Liu2

  • 1School of Nursing University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. jixiaop@nursing.upenn.edu.

Nutrients
|July 18, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Sufficient zinc levels are linked to better sleep in children. This study found lower blood zinc was associated with poor sleep quality and duration in adolescents, with early zinc levels predicting later sleep issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the connection between zinc and sleep in school-aged children.
  • Zinc is an essential mineral involved in numerous physiological processes, potentially including sleep regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between blood zinc concentrations and sleep quality in children.
  • To determine if early childhood zinc status predicts sleep outcomes in adolescence.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 1295 Chinese children (Jintan Child Cohort) provided blood samples for zinc measurement and sleep data at preschool (3-5 years) and early adolescence (11-15 years).
  • Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed using odds ratios (ORs) to assess the relationship between zinc levels and sleep parameters.

Main Results:

  • Cross-sectional analysis in adolescence revealed negative correlations between blood zinc and insufficient sleep duration (OR=0.432), sleep disturbances (OR=0.454), and poor sleep quality (OR=0.559).
  • Preschool zinc concentrations longitudinally predicted poor sleep efficiency (OR=0.186) and poor sleep quality (OR=0.358) in adolescence.
  • No significant associations were found at preschool age.

Conclusions:

  • Adequate zinc concentration is associated with improved sleep quality in children, with the relationship being dependent on developmental stage.
  • These findings highlight the importance of zinc status for sleep health throughout childhood and suggest potential targets for future interventions.

Keywords:
adolescentsblood zinc concentrationmicronutrientspreschool childrensleep quality

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