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Perinatal predictors of sleep disturbances in young infants

Perinatale Prädiktoren für Schlafstörungen bei jungen Säuglingen

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Abstract

The study aimed to identify risk factors of sleep disturbances in 2-month-old infants. It comprised 198 infants (86 boys, 112 girls) who were singletons born in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2007. The mothers were asked to complete questionnaires addressing major infant, maternal, and demographic characteristics. Preexisting medical records were scrutinized. The mothers were requested to describe infant sleep troubles. The baby was defined as having sleep disturbances, if he or she had five or more episodes per week characterized by settling difficulties at bedtime (could not fall asleep within 20 minutes after being put to bed) or frequent night awakenings (woke up more than twice during the night).

Of 198 infants, 96 (48.5%) reportedly had sleep disturbances. In the univariate analysis, the factors associated with increased risk of sleep disturbances were (odds ratio, OR; (95% CI)) first birth order 3.55 (1.90–6.69), previous abortions 2.08 (1.14–3.83), maternal vaginal bleedings during pregnancy 2.58 (1.07–6.29), maternal allergies 2.44 (1.17–5.14), and maternal smoking during pregnancy 2.45 (1.27–4.77). Stepwise backward logistic regression analysis identified combinations of the factors that best predicted the risk of infant sleep disturbances: first birth order, previous abortions, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. After inclusion into the multiple logistic regression equation, these factors provided moderate prediction (pseudo R2=0.15). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed, and the area under the ROC curve was equal to 0.6636 (95% CI=0.5905–0.7406), p(area=0.5) <0.05. Findings from the maternal history may help to predict sleep disturbances in young infants.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Studie war es, Risikofaktoren für Schlafstörungen von 2 Monate alten Babys zu bestimmen. Es wurden 198 Kinder (86 Jungen, 112 Mädchen), geboren 2007 in St. Petersburg (Russland) untersucht. Die Mütter wurden gebeten, Fragebögen zu den wichtigsten Eigenschaften der Kinder, der Mütter und der Umgebung auszufüllen. Vorhandene Krankenakten wurden ausgewertet. Die Mütter wurden gebeten, Schlafprobleme der Kinder zu beschreiben. Schlafstörungen wurden angenommen, wenn mindestens 5-mal/Woche Einschlafstörungen (>20 min) oder häufiges nächtliches Erwachen (>2-mal/Nacht) vorlagen.

Von den 198 Kindern hatten 96 (48,5%) Schlafstörungen. Die Risikofaktoren für Schlafstörungen waren (Odds-Ratio, OR; [95%-Kondidenzintervall, 95%-KI]): Erste Geburt 3,55 [1,90–6,69], frühere Abtreibungen 2,08 [1,14–3,83], Blutungen der Mutter während der Schwangerschaft 2,58 [1,07–6,29], Allergien der Mutter 2,44 [1,17–5,14], Rauchen der Mutter während der Schwangerschaft 2,45 [1,27–4,77]. Eine statistische Analyse mittels logistischer Regressionsanalyse ergab als beste Risikovorhersage eine Kombination aus Erstgeburt, früheren Abtreibungen und Rauchen der Mutter während der Schwangerschaft mit einem moderaten Vorhersagewert (Pseudo-R2=0,15). Eine ROC-(Receiver-Operating-Characteristic-)Analyse wurde durchgeführt, die Fläche unter der Kurve betrug 0,6636 (95%-KI: 0,5905–0,7406), p(Fläche =0,5) <0,05. Eine gezielte Anamnese der Mutter kann also dabei helfen, Schlafstörungen bei jungen Säuglingen vorherzusagen.

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  1. Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Special Education and Special Psychology of the Raoul Wallenberg International University for Family and Child, St. Petersburg, Russia

    I.A. Kelmanson

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Kelmanson, I. Perinatal predictors of sleep disturbances in young infants. Somnologie 15, 39–46 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-011-0504-2

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