Behavioural problems in children linked to poor sleep, says a study

According to new study, kids who get insufficient sleep are more likely to have problems with attention, emotional control and peer relationships. It is generally seen in kids aged between 3 and 7.

Children between age three and seven who do not get enough sleep are more likely to have problems with attention, emotional control and peer relationships, says a study.

“We found that children who get an insufficient amount of sleep in their pre-school and early school-age years have a higher risk of poor neuro-behavioral function at around age 7,” said lead researcher Elsie Taveras from the MassGeneral Hospital for Children in the US.

“The associations between insufficient sleep and poorer functioning persisted even after adjusting for several factors that could influence the relationship,” Taveras said.

As in previous studies from this group examining the role of sleep in several areas of child health, the current study analysed data from Project Viva, a long-term investigation of the health impacts of several factors during pregnancy and after birth.

Information used in this study was gathered from mothers at in-person interviews when their children were around 6 months, 3 years and 7 years old, and from questionnaires completed when the children were aged 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 years.

Poor neuro-behavioral function due to insufficient sleep is generally seen in kids between 3 and 7 years.

In addition, mothers and teachers were sent survey instruments evaluating each child’s executive function -- which includes attention, working memory, reasoning and problem solving -- and behavioural issues -- including emotional symptoms and problems with conduct or peer relationships, when children were around 7.

The study, published online in the journal Academic Pediatrics, found significant differences in the responses of parents and teachers to surveys regarding executive function and behavioural problems in 7-year-old children depending on how much sleep they regularly got at younger ages.

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