Sleep and EEG features of newborns with 18 and 13 trisomy syndromes

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Neurology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Clinical Genetics

Background:

• Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) are severe chromosomal abnormalities affecting newborns.
• Sleep disturbances are common in infants with genetic syndromes, impacting development and health.
• Understanding sleep patterns in these conditions is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the sleep patterns of newborns with Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13 syndromes.
• To investigate the organization and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of sleep in these infants.
• To assess the temporal changes in sleep cyclicity during the neonatal period.

Main Methods:

• Serial polygraphic recordings (2-3 hours) were performed on five full-term newborns with Trisomy 18 and one with Trisomy 13.
• Sleep states and EEG patterns were analyzed, focusing on sleep cycle organization and specific sleep features.
• Recordings were evaluated during the immediate neonatal period and after 1-2 weeks.

Main Results:

• Newborns with Trisomy 18 showed poor sleep, with extended wakefulness/drowsiness and difficulties organizing stable sleep cycles.
• No consistent sleep profile abnormalities were uniquely characteristic of Trisomy 18 or 13.
• EEG patterns showed poor correlation with sleep states; trace alternant patterns increased, and high-voltage slow patterns decreased in quiet sleep over time.

Conclusions:

• Infants with Trisomy 18 syndrome experience significant sleep organization challenges in the neonatal period.
• While some normalization of sleep cyclicity occurs, persistent EEG abnormalities are noted even at later conceptional ages.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term implications of these sleep disturbances for development in Trisomy 18 and 13.