Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
08:20

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

Published on: October 2, 2019

12.4K

Sleep in infants and toddlers with Down syndrome compared to typically developing peers: looking beyond snoring

Soonyiu Yau1, Ruth M Pickering2, Paul Gringras3

  • 1Division of Clinical Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.

Sleep Medicine
|October 14, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children with Down syndrome (DS) experience more sleep problems and less sleep overall compared to typically developing children. Parental presence during sleep onset significantly impacts sleep duration, highlighting the need for early intervention programs promoting self-soothing skills.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Down syndrome (DS) is associated with various health challenges, including potential sleep disturbances.
  • Understanding sleep patterns in infants and toddlers with DS is crucial for their development and well-being.
  • Sleep ecology, encompassing sleep setting and parental behaviors, may influence sleep quality in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep patterns, problems, and sleep ecology in infants and toddlers with Down syndrome (DS) versus typically developing controls.
  • To investigate the roles of snoring and parental behaviors in sleep differences.
  • To identify potential targets for intervention to improve sleep in children with DS.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving parents of 104 children with DS and 489 typically developing controls, aged 6-36 months.
  • Utilized the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ) to gather data on sleep habits and problems.
  • Employed statistical analyses to explore group differences, controlling for demographic variables.

Main Results:

  • Parents of children with DS reported significantly more sleep problems (45% vs. 19%) and snoring (19% vs. 2%).
  • Children with DS experienced less night-time sleep (-55 minutes) and total 24-hour sleep (-38 minutes).
  • Parental presence at sleep onset was strongly associated with reduced night-time and 24-hour sleep duration, more so than snoring.

Conclusions:

  • Significant differences in sleep patterns and ecology exist between children with DS and controls.
  • Parental presence during sleep onset is a key factor contributing to reduced sleep duration in children with DS.
  • Early intervention programs focusing on self-soothing skills are recommended to mitigate sleep loss in young children with DS.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavioral insomniaDown syndromeSleep disordered breathingSleep ecologySleep patternsSnoring

More Related Videos

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

10.9K
Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm06:35

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

Published on: April 28, 2016

34.9K

Related Concept Videos

Nightmares and Night Terrors01:18

Nightmares and Night Terrors

Nightmares and night terrors represent two distinct types of sleep disturbances that differ in timing, characteristics, and the sleeper's recall of the event. Nightmares are vivid, disturbing dreams that usually awaken the sleeper from REM sleep, a stage of sleep where brain activity is high, and dreams are most frequent. Upon awakening, individuals often have detailed recollections of their nightmares, which can include themes of threats to survival, security, or self-esteem.
Nightmares...
392
Sleep Apnea01:21

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...
430
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder01:15

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...
1.2K
Sleep-Wake Cycles01:24

Sleep-Wake Cycles

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
2.6K
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
1.3K
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
756