Sleep-disordered breathing and cognitive functioning in preschool children with and without Down syndrome

BACKGROUND: Sleep affects children's cognitive development, preparedness for school and future academic outcomes. People with Down syndrome (DS) are particularly at risk for sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB). To our knowledge, the association between SDB and cognition in preschoolers with DS is unknown. METHODS: We assessed sleep by using cardiorespiratory polygraphy in 22 typically developing (TD) preschoolers and 22 with DS. Cognition was assessed by using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and behaviour by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (MCDI) measured language level. We predicted that sleep problems would be associated with lower cognitive and behavioural functioning. RESULTS: In TD children, longer sleep duration was associated with higher scores on MCDI expressive language and fewer emotional symptoms such as fear and unhappiness on the SDQ, whilst SDB was associated with increased conduct problems and less prosocial behaviour on the SDQ. Conversely, for children with DS, SDB was associated with increased language understanding and use of actions and gestures on the MCDI. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in the TD group support our hypotheses. We recommend that sleep problems are screened for and treated as even mild SDB may prompt poorer cognition and behaviour. For children with DS, we expect that multiple factors in this complex syndrome mask or mediate the association between sleep and cognitive development and tighter controls are necessary to uncover effects of sleep. We propose longitudinal studies as a necessary tool to assess the precise impact of sleep on cognitive development in accounting for individual differences in DS

Radio telemetry devices to monitor breathing in non-sedated animals

Radio telemetry equipment has significantly improved over the last 10-15 years and is increasingly being used in research for monitoring a variety of physiological parameters in non-sedated animals. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current state of development of radio telemetry for recording respiration. Our literature review found only rare reports of respiratory studies via radio telemetry. Much of this article will hence report our experience with our custom-built radio telemetry devices designed for recording respiratory signals, together with numerous other physiological signals in lambs. Our current radio telemetry system allows to record 24 simultaneous signals 24h/day for several days. To our knowledge, this is the highest number of physiological signals, which can be recorded wirelessly. Our devices have been invaluable for studying respiration in our ovine models of preterm birth, reflux laryngitis, postnatal exposure to cigarette smoke, respiratory syncytial virus infection and nasal ventilation, all of which are relevant to neonatal respiratory problems

Sleep and Attachment in Preterm Infants

Infants born preterm are at elevated risk for socioemotional difficulties; however, factors contributing to this risk are largely understudied. Within the present study, we explored infant sleep as a biosocial factor that may play a role in infant socioemotional development. Within a prospective longitudinal design, we examined parent‐reported sleep patterns and observed parenting quality as predictors of infant–mother attachment in 171 infants born preterm. Using structural equation modeling, we examined main effect and moderator models linking infant sleep patterns and parenting with attachment security. Sleep patterns characterized by more daytime sleep and positive/responsive parenting predicted infant attachment security. Parent‐reported nighttime sleep patterns were unrelated to attachment in this sample of infants born preterm. These results indicate that daytime sleep and parenting quality may be important for emerging attachment relationships in infants born preterm. Zusammenfassung Frühgeborene Säuglinge unterliegen einem erhöhten Risiko an sozioemotionalen Schwierigkeiten zu erkranken. Nichtsdestotrotz wurden Faktoren, die zu diesem Risiko beitragen bislang weitgehend vernachlässigt. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wurde das Schlafverrhalten des Säuglings als biosozialer Faktor untersucht, der in der sozioemotionalen Entwicklung von Säuglingen eine Rolle spielen könnte. Innerhalb eines prospektiven longitudinalen Designs, untersuchten wir die von Eltern berichteten Schlafmuster sowie beobachtete Erziehungsqualität als Prädiktoren der Bindung zwischen Mutter und Säugling in 171 frühgeborenen Säuglingen. Unter Verwendung eines Strukturgleichungsmodells prüften wir Haupteffekt‐ und Moderatormodelle, die die Schlafmuster des Säuglings mit Erziehungsverhalten der Eltern und Bindungssicherheit koppelten. Schlafmuster, die durch vermehrten Tagesschlaf gekennzeichnet waren und positives/ responsives Erziehungsverhalten sagten größere Bindungssicherheit des Säuglings vorher. Von Eltern berichtete nächtliche Schlafmuster standen in keiner Beziehung zur Bindungssicherheit der Stichprobe von frühgeborenen Säuglingen. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass Tagesschlaf und elterliche Erziehungsqualität bedeutsam für die aufkeimenden Bindungsbeziehungen von frühgeborenen Säuglingen sind. Resumen Los infantes nacidos prematuramente se encuentran bajo un elevado riesgo de dificultades emocionales sociales. Sin embargo, los factores que contribuyen a este riesgo no han sido estudiados suficientemente. Dentro del presente estudio, exploramos el hábito de dormir del infante como un factor bio‐social que pudiera jugar un papel en el desarrollo emocional social del infante. Dentro de un probable diseño longitudinal, examinamos los patrones de dormir reportados por la madre y observamos la calidad de la crianza como factores de predicción de la afectividad entre madre e infante en 171 infantes nacidos prematuramente. Usando un modelo de ecuación estructural, examinamos modelos de efecto principal y moderadores que conectaban los patrones de dormir del infante y la crianza con la seguridad de afectividad. Los patrones caracterizados por más tiempo diurno de dormir y una crianza positiva/sensible predijeron la seguridad de afectividad del infante. Los patrones de dormir nocturnos reportados por la madre no tuvieron relación con la afectividad en este grupo muestra de infantes nacidos prematuramente. Estos resultados indican que los hábitos de dormir diurnos y la calidad de la crianza pudieran ser importantes para las nacientes relaciones afectivas en infantes nacidos prematuramente. Résumé Les bébés nés avant terme sont à un risque élevé de difficultés socio‐émotionnelles. Cependant les facteurs contribuant à ce risque sont grandement sous‐étudiés. Nous avons exploré dans cette étude le sommeil du bébé en tant qu’un facteur biosocial qui peut jouer un rôle dans le développement socio‐émotionnel du bébé. Au sein d’une structure longitudinale potentielle nous avons examiné les patterns de sommeil bébé‐mère et observé la qualité du parentage en tant que facteur de prédiction de l’attachement bébé‐mère chez 171 bébés nés prématurés. En utilisant un modèle structurel d’équation nous avons examiné l’effet principal et les modèles modérateurs principaux liant les patterns de sommeil du bébé et le parentage avec une sécurité d’attachement. Les patterns de sommeil caractérisés par plus de sommeil durant la journée et un parentage positif/réceptif ont prédit la sécurité d’attachement du bébé. Les patterns de sommeil dont ont fait état les parents n’étaient pas liés à l’attachement chez cet échantillon de bébés nés avant terme. Ces résultats indiquent que le sommeil dans la journée et la qualité de parentage peuvent s’avérer importants pour les relations d’attachement émergentes chez les bébés nés avant terme.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/96377/1/imhj21374.pd

The relationship between prior night's sleep and measures of infant imitation.

We examined whether sleep quality during the night and naps during the day preceding a learning event are related to memory encoding in human infants. Twenty-four 6- and twenty-four 12-month-old infants' natural sleeping behavior was monitored for 24 hr using actigraphy. After the recording period, encoding was assessed using an imitation paradigm. In an initial baseline phase, infants were allowed to interact with the stimulus to assess spontaneous production of any target actions. Infants then watched an experimenter demonstrate a sequence of three target actions and were immediately given the opportunity to reproduce the demonstrated target actions to assess memory encoding. Analyses revealed significant correlations between nighttime sleep quality variables (sleep efficiency, sleep fragmentation) and immediate imitation in 6-month-olds, but not in 12-month-olds. High sleep quality in the preceding night was thus positively associated with next day's memory encoding in 6-month-old infants. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 9999: 1-12, 2016

Developmental effects on sleep–wake patterns in infants receiving a cow’s milk-based infant formula with an added prebiotic blend: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Few studies have evaluated nutritive effects of prebiotics on infant behavior state, physiology, or metabolic status. Methods In this double-blind randomized study, infants (n = 161) received cow’s milk-based infant formula (Control) or similar formula with an added prebiotic blend (polydextrose and galactooligosaccharides [PDX/GOS]) from 14–35 to 112 days of age. Infant wake behavior (crying/fussing, awake/content) and 24-h sleep–wake actograms were analyzed (Baseline, Days 70 and 112). Salivary cortisol was immunoassayed (Days 70 and 112). In a subset, exploratory stool 16S ribosomal RNA-sequencing was analyzed (Baseline, Day 112). Results One hundred and thirty-one infants completed the study. Average duration of crying/fussing episodes was similar at Baseline, significantly shorter for PDX/GOS vs. Control at Day 70, and the trajectory continued at Day 112. Latency to first and second nap was significantly longer for PDX/GOS vs. Control at Day 112. Cortisol awakening response was demonstrated at Days 70 and 112. Significant stool microbiome beta-diversity and individual taxa abundance differences were observed in the PDX/GOS group. Conclusions Results indicate faster consolidation of daytime waking state in infants receiving prebiotics and support home-based actigraphy to assess early sleep–wake patterns. A prebiotic effect on wake organization is consistent with influence on the gut–brain axis and warrants further investigation. Impact Few studies have evaluated nutritive effects of prebiotics on infant behavior state, cortisol awakening response, sleep–wake entrainment, and gut microbiome. Faster consolidation of daytime waking state was demonstrated in infants receiving a prebiotic blend in infant formula through ~4 months of age. Shorter episodes of crying were demonstrated at ~2 months of age (time point corresponding to age/developmental range associated with peak crying) in infants receiving formula with added prebiotics. Results support home-based actigraphy as a suitable method to assess early sleep–wake patterns. Prebiotic effect on wake organization is consistent with influence on the gut–brain axis and warrants further investigation

Assessment of sleep problems and related risk factors observed in Turkish children with Autism spectrum disorders

Sleep problems are common and difficult to manage in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Another major adverse impact of sleep problems is that they exacerbate behavioral problems. To assess sleep problems and possible behavioral risk factors in detail, we aimed to compare sleep habits of children with ASD, with healthy children. The relationship between sleep difficulties and concomitant behavioral problems such as repetitive behaviors, hyperactivity, and social withdrawal were also examined. Hundred and seventeen children and adolescents including 64 with the diagnosis of ASD and 53 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Diagnostic Interview for ASD was performed according to DSM-IV-TR. Socio-demographical data form and childhood autism rating scale were filled by researchers. Aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), child behavior checklist and pediatric sleep questionnaire (PSQ) were completed by the parents of the children. Children with ASD had higher frequency of sleep problems, snoring, breathing problems, behavioral problems compared with healthy children (for all parameters; P < 0.001). A positive correlation was identified between the total score of PSQ and the total score of ABC (P < 0.05, Spearman correlation coefficient: 0.347). Sleep latency was prolonged in children with ASD compared with healthy subjects (P < 0.001). In accordance with the current literature, children with ASD were subject to sleep problems significantly more than the control group. Identified risk factors for sleep problems in ASD children were behavioral factors such as stereotypies, self-mutilation, hyperactivity, and social withdrawal. (C) 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc