title: Sleep-wake patterns in children with intrauterine growth retardation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to characterize the sleep patterns of children with intrauterine growth retardation, known to be at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, and seek a possible correlation with behavior, concentration, and attention problems. The sleep patterns of 26 children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were compared with those of 47 control children using activity monitors (actigraphs). In addition, data were collected from the parents regarding sleep habits, behavior, concentration, and attention. Children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were found to have a tendency toward poorer quality of sleep than their matched controls. This inclination was statistically significant only for one sleep measure, the true sleep time. A tendency toward increased fragmentation of sleep, prolonged waking, and decreased sleep efficiency, although not statistically significant in this study, was demonstrated. Our results showed that 58% of the children with intrauterine growth retardation, compared with 40% of the children in the control group, could be defined as "poor sleepers" (sleep efficiency lower than 90% or three or more waking episodes per night). This disturbed sleep profile is probably an integral part of the neurodevelopmental profile typical of these at-risk children. No significant correlations were found between sleep quality and behavior, concentration, and attention problems.
authors.affiliation: The Institute for Child Development and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. blochy@netvision.net.il
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leitner
authors.forename: Aviva Mimouni
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sadeh
authors.forename: Orit
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Neuderfer
authors.forename: Liat
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tikotzky
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattal-Valevski
authors.forename: Shaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harel
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires