Postnatal depression mediates the relationship between infant and maternal sleep disruption and family dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has linked family sleep disruption and dysfunction in children; however, the mechanism is unknown. AIMS: This study examined whether maternal sleep and postnatal depression (PND) mediate the relationship between infant sleep disruption and family dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Mothers of infants aged 12 months old (N=111; 48% male) completed infant and parent sleep surveys, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Family Assessment Device. RESULTS: Poor infant sleep was related to poor maternal sleep, which was associated with higher PND and higher level of family dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Results are consistent with the proposition that identification of both infant and maternal sleep problems during infancy can be relevant to reduction of PND and improved family functioning.

Snoring and cognitive development in infancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the influence of snoring and sleep duration on developmental outcomes in 6 month old infants. METHODS: As part of a longitudinal study of snoring in infancy, we identified 16 children (13 males) who commenced snoring shortly after birth and continued to snore frequently (≥ 3 nights/week) at 6 months of age and 88 healthy infant controls who were reported never to snore in the absence of a cold (36 males). Infants were assessed at 6 months of age with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Edition III, and parents completed demographic, sleep, and developmental surveys. RESULTS: Cognitive development was reduced in infants who snored frequently (mean=95.3; SD=4.3) from the first month of life compared to control infants (mean=100.6; SD=3.9) (F [1, 99]=23.8, p<.01; η(p)(2)=.21). CONCLUSION: Snoring during the first 6 months of life was associated with lower cognitive development scores. It is unknown whether these infants will continue to snore through childhood and, if so, whether the associated neurocognitive deficits will become worse with time.

Parental-reported snoring from the first month of life and cognitive development at 12 months of age.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of persistent snoring in the first year of life on developmental outcomes. METHODS: As part of a longitudinal study of snoring and sleep in infancy, we identified 13 children (10 males) who commenced snoring shortly after birth and continued to snore frequently (≥ 3 nights/week) at 6 and 12 months of age and 78 controls (31 males) who were reported by parents to never snore in the absence of a cold. Infants were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Edition III and parents completed demographic and sleep questionnaires. RESULTS: Infants reported to snore frequently from the first month of life and who continued to snore frequently until 12 months of age had significantly lower cognitive development scores (mean=94.2; SD=3.9) compared to controls (mean=100.6; SD=3.7) (F (1, 96)=40 6, p<0.001; η(p)(2)=0.32). CONCLUSION: Persistent frequent snoring from the first month of life was associated with lower cognitive development scores at 12 months of age. It is possible that this deficit will become worse with age.

Prevalence of snoring and associated factors in infancy.

INTRODUCTION: In children aged 3-12 years snoring is associated with significant neurocognitive and behavioural deficits; however, there are few studies that have considered both the prevalence of snoring in infants and associated factors that may influence the development of snoring. The goal of the present study was to examine sleep, snoring and associated factors in a community sample of 0-3 month olds. METHODS: Previously validated infant sleep and parent sleep questionnaires were completed by parents of 457 term infants aged 1-13.9 weeks old (mean age=4.6 weeks; SD=2.7; 45% males) during a home-based nurse visit. RESULTS: Approximately 9% of infants were reported to snore habitually (snoring ≥ 3 nights/week). Habitual snoring was significantly associated with exclusive formula feeding (OR: 28.87; p<.01), maternal concern about child's breathing during sleep (OR: 3.91; p=.01) and restless sleep ≥ 3 nights/week (OR: 17.76; p<.001). CONCLUSION: These results show that snoring is as common in infants as it is in older children. Given the known relationships between Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and neurocognitive development, the effect of SDB developing early in childhood may have important consequences on future developmental outcomes.