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Normative values for sleep parameters in pre-schoolers using actigraphy
Lassi Sahlberg1, Helena Lapinleimu2, Marko Elovainio3
1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Insights
This study establishes the first reference values for actigraphy-measured sleep in preschool children. These new sleep parameters help in evaluating sleep disorders in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Actigraphy is a valuable tool for assessing sleep in children.
- Established reference values for sleep parameters in preschool children are lacking.
- Normative data is crucial for accurate clinical evaluation of sleep disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish standardized reference values for actigraphy-measured sleep in preschool children.
- To identify age-related trends in sleep patterns within this age group.
- To provide a normative basis for evaluating pediatric sleep.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-seven children aged 2-6 years participated in a 7-day actigraphy monitoring study.
- Sleep parameters including total sleep time, sleep latency, and fragmentation were calculated.
- Reference intervals were determined using the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for different age groups.
Main Results:
- Reference intervals for 24-hour total sleep time ranged from 7h 23min to 9h 47min.
- Sleep efficiency ranged from 69-87%, and fragmentation index from 23-53%.
- Increasing age was associated with decreased daily sleep time, sleep latency, fragmentation, and napping.
Conclusions:
- Previously unavailable reference values for actigraphy-assessed sleep in preschool children were successfully created.
- Age-related trends in sleep patterns were identified.
- These normative data facilitate the evaluation of sleep disorders in young children.
Objective:
There are currently no reference values for actigraphy-measured sleep length and fragmentation in preschool children. We created standardized parameters using a community sample.
Methods:
Ninety-seven 2-to-6-year-old children (56 boys) wore an actigraph on their non-dominant wrist for seven days. The data was extracted and scored, calculating total sleep time, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, fragmentation index, circadian rhythm length, cosine peak and light/dark ratio. Subjects were divided into groups of 2-3-year-olds, 4-5-year-olds and 6-year-olds. Means and standard deviations were calculated, and reference values were created using the 2.5th and the 97.5th percentiles.
Results:
Reference intervals were 7 h 23 min-9 h 47 min for 24-hour total sleep time, 0.2-48.4 min for sleep latency, 69-87% for sleep efficiency, 23-53% for fragmentation index, 23 h 39 min-24 h 24 min for circadian rhythm length, 12:37-15:53 for the timing of the cosine peak, and 1.14-5.63 for the light-dark ratio. With increasing age, daily sleep time, sleep latency, sleep fragmentation, and napping decreased.
Conclusions:
We were able to create previously non-established reference values, including trends with increasing age, on actigraphy-assessed sleep in preschool children.
Significance:
Sleep disorders in young children are easier to evaluate against normative data.
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