Sleep loss in kids linked to ADHD symptoms

Short sleep duration may contribute to the development or worsening of hyperactivity and inattention during early childhood, according to research presented at Sleep 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) in the US.

Results show that less sleep in preschool-age children significantly predicted worse parent-reported hyperactivity and inattention at kindergarten. In contrast, hyperactivity and inattention at preschool did not predict sleep duration at kindergarten. The sample consisted of approximately 6,860 children, and analyses controlled for gender, ethnicity and family income.

Less sleep, less attention

"Children who were reported to sleep less in preschool were rated by their parents as more hyperactive and less attentive, compared to their peers in kindergarten," said lead author Erika Gaylor, PhD, senior researcher for SRI International, an independent, non-profit research institute.

"These findings suggest that some children who are not getting adequate sleep may be at risk for developing behavioural problems manifested by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and problems sitting still and paying attention."

According to the authors, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is not generally diagnosed until the school-age years. However, the onset of developmentally inappropriate inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity is often much younger. Sleep problems, particularly difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, are frequently reported in children and adolescents with ADHD.

However, the direction of causation, if any, has been difficult to determine. Longitudinal studies may provide a window into the direction of this complex relationship.

The analyses used data from the preschool and kindergarten waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Birth Cohort. The dataset includes a contemporary, representative sample of children and their families living in the US and followed longitudinally from birth through kindergarten entry.

Total night-time sleep duration was calculated using parent-reported bedtimes and wake times, which were obtained via interview at both time points. Parents also rated their children's behaviour on brief measures of attention/task persistence and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

Last year at Sleep 2010, Gaylor reported that having a regular bedtime was the most consistent predictor of positive developmental outcomes at 4 years of age. Having an earlier bedtime also was predictive of higher scores for most developmental measures. - (EurekAlert!, June 2011)

Read more:
Sleep helps you solve problems
Not enough sleep ages the brain