Age‐Dependent Associations Between Gestational Age and Clinically Recorded Sleep Problems in Early Childhood: A Population‐Based Cohort Study

Vollständiger Abstract

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ABSTRACT Aim To examine associations between gestational age (GA) and clinically recorded sleep outcomes at 6 months, 2 years and school entry. Methods This population‐based study included 56 856 children. Sleep data from routine health examinations at 6 months, 2 years and school entry were linked to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Non‐satisfactory sleep, difficulties initiating sleep and night awakenings were recorded during routine consultations. Associations between GA and sleep outcomes were examined using logistic regression analyses. Results The prevalence of non‐satisfactory sleep was 22.4%, 15.1% and 11.6% at 6 months, 2 years and school entry, respectively. Each additional week of GA was associated with higher odds of non‐satisfactory sleep at 6 months (adjusted OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.07). At 2 years and school entry, each additional week of GA was associated with lower odds of non‐satisfactory sleep (adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96–0.99 and 0.95–0.98, respectively). Few associations were observed between GA and the other sleep outcomes, except for night awakenings at 6 months and difficulties initiating sleep at 2 years. Conclusion Increasing GA was associated with lower odds of non‐satisfactory sleep at age 2 years and at school entry, whereas the opposite association was observed at 6 months. Sleep difficulties in children born preterm should remain a focus beyond infancy.