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Reduced Slow Wave Sleep Is Associated with Increased Risk of Short Stature in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Zhaohua Chen1,2, Yuan Shi1,2, Fei Lei1,2
1Sleep Medicine Center, Mental Health Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
Nature and Science of Sleep
|November 24, 2025
Summary
Adequate slow wave sleep (SWS) is crucial for childhood height. Reduced SWS significantly increases the risk of short stature in both children with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Sleep medicine
- Growth and development
Background:
- Growth hormone release is linked to slow wave sleep (SWS).
- Population-based evidence on SWS and childhood height is lacking.
- Childhood short stature is a concern requiring further investigation into contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between slow wave sleep (SWS) and height in children.
- To determine if SWS impacts the risk of short stature.
- To analyze this relationship in children with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Main Methods:
- Polysomnography data and height z-scores from 2527 children (537 non-OSA, 1990 OSA) were analyzed.
- Children were categorized into quartiles based on SWS and height z-scores.
- Logistic regression models assessed the association between SWS and short stature.
Main Results:
- Lower SWS quartiles were significantly associated with increased odds of short stature in both non-OSA (4.85-fold) and OSA (2.15-fold) children.
- Reduced SWS was linked to short stature in prepubertal children across both groups.
- Linear regression confirmed a positive correlation between SWS and height z-scores.
Conclusions:
- Adequate sleep quality, specifically SWS, plays a vital role in childhood growth.
- Sleep assessments should be integrated into pediatric growth monitoring.
- Improving sleep quality may be a strategy to address childhood short stature.
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