Abstract Background Infant sleep is multidimensional, with sleep habits and sleep problems often co‐occurring and changing rapidly during early life. Evidence links infant sleep with later neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes, yet few studies have examined overall sleep patterns, their changes over time, and outcomes across multiple preschool domains. We examined associations of sleep patterns at 6 and 12 months and their transitions with preschool neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. Methods This prospective cohort study included 1707 children from the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Infant sleep at 6 and 12 months was assessed using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Sleep patterns were identified at each time point using latent class analysis based on multiple sleep indicators, and children with sleep data at both ages were classified into transition groups. At age 4, outcomes were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social Responsiveness Scale‐Short Form (SRS‐SF), and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function‐Preschool Version (BRIEF‐P). Multivariable linear regression estimated associations. Results At 6 and 12 months, 66.02% and 69.18% of infants were classified as having a good sleep pattern. Among children with sleep data at both time points, 51.57% had consistently good sleep, 16.68% improved, 14.44% deteriorated, and 17.31% had consistently poor sleep. Poor sleep at 6 months was associated with higher SDQ Total Difficulties scores. Poor sleep at 12 months was associated with higher SDQ Total Difficulties, SRS‐SF Total, and BRIEF‐P Global Executive Composite scores. Consistently poor sleep from 6 to 12 months was associated with less favorable outcomes than consistently good sleep. Conclusion Poorer infant sleep patterns, especially at 12 months and when persistent from 6 to 12 months, were associated with less favorable preschool neurodevelopmental and behavioral outcomes. These findings support infant sleep patterns as an early‐life factor relevant to developmental research and monitoring.
Wei Wei, Jun Zhang, Hui Wang· JCPP Advances· 0 citations
Background Early childhood neuropsychological development exhibits substantial heterogeneity, yet the identification of distinct developmental profiles and their associated risk factors remains limited. This study aimed to delineate latent profiles of neuropsychological development in children aged 0–6 years and to identify factors influencing membership in these profiles. Methods A total of 2,297 children (1,193 boys and 1,104 girls) were assessed using the Chinese Developmental Scale for Children – Second Edition (CDSC-II). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted based on age-standardized percentile scores across five developmental domains: gross motor, fine motor, language, adaptive behavior, and social behavior. A one-step regression mixture model, adjusting for child age and sex, was employed to examine associations between profile membership and perinatal and demographic factors. Results The LPA identified two distinct profiles: an Ordinary Development Group (28.6%, n = 656) and an Excellent Development Group (71.4%, n = 1,641), with good class separation (entropy = 0.818). In the regression mixture model, low birth weight (OR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.19–3.67), preterm birth (OR = 5.23, 95% CI: 3.14–8.71), maternal pregnancy complications (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.15–1.78), and older child age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.007–1.027) were significantly associated with increased odds of belonging to the Ordinary Development Group. Conversely, female sex (vs. male) was associated with lower odds of membership in the Ordinary Development Group (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.54–0.83). Parenting style (parental vs. non-parental care) and the timing of complementary food introduction were not independently associated with profile membership after adjustment (both p > 0.05). Conclusion These findings indicate that specific maternal environmental exposures during pregnancy and the postnatal period, alongside child demographic characteristics, are significantly associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood. The results underscore the importance of early developmental screening and targeted intervention for high-risk children to optimize long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Ruili Li, Rui Zhang, Xiaoguo Zheng et al.· Frontiers in Psychology· 0 citations