Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2025

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
03:46

Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling

Published on: October 11, 2018

10.2K

Association between iron deficiency anemia and sleep duration in the first year of life

José Israel Rodrigues Junior1, Victória Gabriella Fidelix de Mecenas1, Márcia de Oliveira Lima1

  • 1Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió (AL), Brazil.

Revista Paulista De Pediatria : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo
|July 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Iron deficiency anemia in infants is linked to shorter sleep duration in the first year of life. This association highlights the importance of monitoring iron levels for healthy infant sleep patterns.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Nutritional Science
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency in infants.
  • Sleep duration is crucial for infant development and well-being.
  • The relationship between IDA and sleep patterns in early life requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between iron deficiency anemia and sleep duration in infants during their first year of life.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 123 infants had sleep evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months, and anemia assessed at birth and 6 months.
  • Anemia was defined as hemoglobin <11 g/dL; short sleep duration was defined as <10 hours.
  • Statistical analyses included Student's t-test, logistic regression, and linear regression, adjusted for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Infants with anemia were significantly more likely to be short sleepers (OR: 4.02, 95% CI: 1.02-15.76).
  • Each unit increase in hemoglobin was associated with a 16.2-minute increase in sleep duration (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.00-0.55).
  • These associations remained significant after adjusting for family income, maternal schooling, gender, and birth BMI.

Conclusions:

  • Iron deficiency anemia is significantly associated with reduced sleep duration in the first year of life.
  • These findings underscore the importance of addressing IDA in infants to potentially improve sleep.
  • Longitudinal studies are recommended to confirm these findings and explore long-term impacts on sleep.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management05:35

Author Spotlight: Developing a Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Estimation Method for Anemia Management

Published on: January 19, 2024

860
Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes08:45

Quantitating Iron Transport Across the Mouse Placenta In Vivo Using Nonradioactive Iron Isotopes

Published on: May 10, 2022

2.0K

Related Concept Videos

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
172
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...
381
Correlations02:20

Correlations

Correlation means that there is a relationship between two or more variables (such as ice cream consumption and crime), but this relationship does not necessarily imply cause and effect. When two variables are correlated, it simply means that as one variable changes, so does the other. We can measure correlation by calculating a statistic known as a correlation coefficient. A correlation coefficient is a number from -1 to +1 that indicates the strength and direction of the relationship between...
33.3K
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
417
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...
257
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
197