Sleep physiology and disorders

Narayan O., Sinha A., Ibrahim R., Kadam S., Hill E.

There is a paucity of data on neonatal sleep physiology, normative data and disorders. Newborns spend more than half of their sleep time in stage R (rapid eye movement) sleep. Sleep is an integral part of an infant’s development, leading to adequate growth and memory consolidation. Circadian rhythm is established by ~6 months of age. Hypopnoeas and apnoeas are common in infants, and the mean apnoea/hypopnoea index is higher in healthy newborns than in older children. Fragmented sleep in the neonatal period causes endothelial dysfunction and can lead to a poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Various sleep problems can occur throughout infancy, and preterm infants are more vulnerable than term infants.

DOI

10.1183/2312508X.10014920

Type

Journal article

Journal

ERS Monograph

Publication Date

01/01/2021

Volume

2021

Pages

273 - 286

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