Nocturnal awakenings and pediatric injury risk.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to examine relations between nocturnal awakenings and unintentional injury risk among toddlers.


METHODS
A nationally representative sample of 799 children was followed longitudinally from birth through 36 months. Patterns of nocturnal awakening were assessed by parent-report at ages 6, 15, 24 and 36 months, and injury events were reported at quarterly intervals over the same time period. A range of external covariates, including positive and negative affect and externalizing behavior; maternal stress, maternal depression, and parenting style; and family socioeconomic status were measured.


RESULTS
A persistent pattern of very mild nocturnal awakening was related to increased risk of injury during the toddler years, and that relation held after controlling for a range of potential covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
A pattern of persistent nocturnal awakening appears to be related to unintentional injury risk in toddlers.
Schwebel
David C
DC
Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, CH 415, Birmingham AL 35294, USA. schwebel@uab.edu
Brezausek
Carl M
CM
D000339:Affect; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D016487:Parenting; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000502:physiology*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*