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Published on: May 23, 2011
Early polysomnographic characteristics associated with neurocognitive development at 36 months of age
Patricia Franco1, Aurore Guyon1, Camille Stagnara2
1Sleep Pediatric Unit, Woman Mother Child Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon1 University, F-69500, France; Physiology of Brain Arousal System Research Laboratory, CRNL, INSERM-U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon1 University, Lyon, F-69000, France.
Insights
Early daytime sleep duration and efficiency in infants are linked to cognitive development. Longer daytime sleep and more frequent night awakenings in infancy may be associated with lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at age three.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Limited research exists on the link between sleep patterns and cognitive abilities in healthy preschoolers.
- Understanding early sleep's impact on cognitive development is crucial for identifying potential interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between early polysomnography (PSG)-measured sleep characteristics and cognitive function in 3-year-old children.
- To determine if sleep quantity and quality in infancy predict intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at preschool age.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the French birth-cohort AuBE, including PSG recordings at birth (M0) and 6 months (M6).
- Assessed sleep and arousal patterns during day and night sleep periods.
- Analyzed relationships between sleep parameters and Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale Intelligence-III (WPPSI-III) scores using adjusted multivariate models.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between night and day sleep durations at M0 or M6.
- Longer daytime sleep duration and higher sleep efficiency were negatively associated with all measured IQ scores (Full-Scale, Verbal, and Performance).
- Increased frequency of night sleep arousals correlated with lower Verbal IQ (VIQ) scores.
Conclusions:
- Early sleep characteristics, including fragmented night sleep and prolonged daytime naps, may be associated with impaired cognitive function.
- These findings highlight the potential importance of sleep quality and quantity in early development and cognitive outcomes.
Background:
Few studies on the relationship between sleep quantity and/or quality and cognition have been conducted among preschoolers from the healthy general population. We aimed to identify, among 3-year-old children, early polysomnography (PSG) sleep factors associated with estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) using the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale Intelligence-III test (WPPSI-III) and its indicators: full-scale (FISQ), verbal (VIQ), and performance (PIQ) intelligence quotients.
Methods:
We included full-term children from the French birth-cohort AuBE with PSG recording at term (M0) and/or six months (M6), and available WPPSI-III scores at three years. Sleep and arousal characteristics of these infants were evaluated during day and night sleep periods. Relationships between IQ scores and sleep parameters were estimated using models with the child as a repeated effect adjusted for time (night/day), maturation (M0/M6), tobacco exposure (yes/no), anxiety-depressive scores during pregnancy, maternal age, duration of breastfeeding and child's gender.
Results:
A total of 118 PSG recordings were obtained, representing a total of 78 unique children (38 with one PSG and 40 with two PSG). No correlations were found between night and day sleep durations at M0 or M6. Mean VIQ, PIQ, and FSIQ scores were within normal ranges. In multivariate models, longer sleep duration and higher sleep efficiency during the day were negatively associated with all IQ scores. More frequent arousals during the night were associated with lower VIQ scores.
Conclusion:
Early sleep characteristics such as night sleep fragmentation or longer naps could be associated with impaired cognitive function at three years of age.
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