Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access originally published online on February 19, 2008
Journal of Pediatric Psychology 2008 33(4):396-405; doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn013
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Sleep Difficulties in Infants at Risk for Developmental Delays: A Longitudinal Study
1Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, 2Infant, Child and Youth Services, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, 3School of Nursing, University of Victoria, and 4Early Childhood Education and Research, University of British Columbia
All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Anat Scher, PHD, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. E-mail: anats{at}construct.haifa.ac.il
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Objectives We compared the sleep of infants at risk for neuromotor delays to that of infants without such risks, and examined the predictive validity of risk indicators to the development of sleep problems. Methods Conveniently recruited infants (n = 142) were assessed for neuromotor achievements and sleep behaviors at 4–6 months and 10–12 months of age. Assessment tools were the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test and Morrell's Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Based on a cumulative risk index, three groups were defined: higher risk (n = 28), lower risk (n = 42), and no risk (n = 72). Results At both ages, the sleep scores were similar among the groups. In the no risk and lower risk group, sleep difficulties decreased with age, while for infants in the higher risk group, more difficulties were reported over time. Overall, the neuromotor attainments were not related to sleep fragmentation or settling difficulties. Conclusions In a diverse sample of infants, with and without risks for developmental delays, overall, sleep patterns were similar. It appears that the neuromotor achievements are not associated with sleep-wake regulation, as measured by caregivers report.
Key words: at risk; developmental delays; infants; neuromotor attainments; sleep.
Received May 11, 2007; revision received December 1, 2007; accepted February 4, 2008