Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 28, 2026

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm

Published on: April 28, 2016

Sleep-disordered breathing and cognitive functioning in preschool children with and without Down syndrome

A Joyce¹, D Dimitriou²

¹Centre for Research in Psychology, Behaviour and Achievement, Coventry University, Coventry, UK.

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research : JIDR

|June 15, 2017

Insights

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) impacts typically developing children

Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Pediatric Sleep Medicine
Genetics and Neurodevelopment

Background:

Sleep significantly influences children's cognitive development, school readiness, and academic success.
Children with Down syndrome (DS) face a heightened risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
The relationship between SDB and cognitive function in preschoolers with DS remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cognitive, behavioral, and language outcomes in preschoolers.
To compare these associations in typically developing (TD) children and children with Down syndrome (DS).

Main Methods:

Cardiorespiratory polygraphy was used to assess sleep in 22 TD preschoolers and 22 with DS.
Cognitive abilities were evaluated using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
Behavioral and language assessments were conducted using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI).

Main Results:

In TD children, longer sleep duration correlated with enhanced expressive language and fewer emotional difficulties.
SDB in TD children was linked to increased conduct problems and reduced prosocial behavior.
Conversely, in children with DS, SDB was associated with improved language understanding and the use of actions and gestures.

Conclusions:

Findings in TD children support the hypothesis that sleep problems negatively affect cognition and behavior.
For children with DS, complex factors may mediate or mask the sleep-cognition link, necessitating further research.
Longitudinal studies are recommended to precisely determine the impact of sleep on cognitive development in DS, considering individual differences.

Read full analysis

Abstract

Background:

Sleep affects children's cognitive development, preparedness for school and future academic outcomes. People with Down syndrome (DS) are particularly at risk for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). To our knowledge, the association between SDB and cognition in preschoolers with DS is unknown.

Methods:

We assessed sleep by using cardiorespiratory polygraphy in 22 typically developing (TD) preschoolers and 22 with DS. Cognition was assessed by using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and behaviour by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI) measured language level. We predicted that sleep problems would be associated with lower cognitive and behavioural functioning.

Results:

In TD children, longer sleep duration was associated with higher scores on MCDI expressive language and fewer emotional symptoms such as fear and unhappiness on the SDQ, whilst SDB was associated with increased conduct problems and less prosocial behaviour on the SDQ. Conversely, for children with DS, SDB was associated with increased language understanding and use of actions and gestures on the MCDI.

Conclusions:

The findings in the TD group support our hypotheses. We recommend that sleep problems are screened for and treated as even mild SDB may prompt poorer cognition and behaviour. For children with DS, we expect that multiple factors in this complex syndrome mask or mediate the association between sleep and cognitive development and tighter controls are necessary to uncover effects of sleep. We propose longitudinal studies as a necessary tool to assess the precise impact of sleep on cognitive development in accounting for individual differences in DS.

Keywords:

Down syndrome behaviour problems children cognition sleep sleep disorders

More Related Videos

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

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

Published on: October 2, 2019

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression

Published on: April 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea

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...

Information Processing Approach

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A persistent pattern of angry or irritable mood, defiant behavior, or vindictiveness characterizes Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Symptoms must occur over at least six months, involve interactions with individuals beyond siblings, and meet specific diagnostic criteria to be clinically significant. The disorder affects emotional regulation, social interactions, and behavior, often manifesting early in life and influencing long-term development and functioning.
Diagnostic Criteria and...

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

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...

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.

Learning Disabilities

Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Intraoperative Verification of Templated Leg Length in Direct Anterior Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Indian journal of orthopaedics·2026

Advantages and disadvantages of noise-cancelling headphones for autistic students in educational settings.

Research in developmental disabilities·2026

Participatory Development of a Suicide Prevention Program for Autism Community Organizations.

OTJR : occupation, participation and health·2025

A pilot adaptive trial of text messages, mailed nicotine replacement therapy, and telephone coaching among primary care patients who smoke.

Journal of substance use and addiction treatment·2023

A cross-cultural comparison of sleep patterns between typically developing children and children with ASD living in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.

Research in developmental disabilities·2022

Treatment outcomes of patients with Cutibacterium acnes-positive cultures during total joint replacement revision surgery: a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery·2022

See all related articles