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Published on: October 2, 2019
Sleep and Skin Temperature in Preschool Children and Their Mothers
Kazue Okamoto-Mizuno1, Koh Mizuno2, Shuichiro Shirakawa3,4
1a Kansei Fukushi Research Center , Tohoku Fukushi University , Miyagi , Japan.
Insights
Preschool children have lower skin temperature (Tsk) and sleep without coverings, suggesting they use proximal Tsk for heat dissipation. This, along with behavioral thermoregulation, is key for their sleep.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Science
- Thermoregulation Research
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Sleep quality and thermoregulation are crucial for child development.
- Understanding differences in sleep physiology between children and adults is important.
- Limited research exists on the specific thermoregulatory mechanisms during sleep in preschoolers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep and skin temperature (Tsk) in preschool children and their mothers.
- To investigate the relationship between sleep, Tsk, and environmental factors in young children.
Main Methods:
- Actigraphy was used to measure sleep patterns.
- Skin temperature (proximal and distal), heart rate, and microclimate (bed climate) were recorded.
- 18 mother-child pairs participated in the study.
Main Results:
- Children exhibited significantly lower proximal and distal Tsk, and lower bed climate temperature compared to mothers.
- The temperature gradient of distal and proximal Tsk (DPG) was also significantly lower in children.
- Around 70% of children slept without bed coverings.
Conclusions:
- Preschool children may rely on proximal Tsk for heat dissipation during sleep.
- Lower Tsk and behavioral thermoregulation are likely important factors for sleep in preschoolers.
- Findings highlight distinct thermoregulatory strategies in young children compared to adults.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare sleep and skin temperature (Tsk) of preschool children with those of their mothers. The subjects included 18 pairs of preschool children and their mothers. The actigraphic measurement of sleep, Tsk, heart rate, bedroom climate, and the microclimate temperature and humidity (bed climate) were measured. Proximal and distal Tsk, the temperature gradient of distal and proximal Tsk (DPG), and bed climate temperature were significantly lower in the children. Approximately 70% of the children slept without bed covering. Heat dissipation during sleep in preschool children may primarily rely on the proximal Tsk. The lower Tsk than adults, and behavioral thermoregulation, may be important for sleep in preschoolers.
