Association between Maternal Depression and Sleep Disorders in Toddlers: A Case Report
Abstract
Poor sleep quality in childhood can lead to socio-emotional and academic problems. In early childhood, sleep is mostly influenced by environmental factors, such as the mother’s mental health.
The aim of this case report is to expand the body of knowledge surrounding the association between sleep disturbances in toddlers and maternal depression.
An 18-month-old child was referred to a Child Psychiatry consultation due to multiple nocturnal awakening almost every night since he was 3 months old. The mother reports depressive symptoms. It was concluded that the child met criteria for night awakening disorder. The treatment plan included sessions to promote parenting skills and the use of prolonged-release melatonin.
The literature shows that maternal depressive symptoms are related to difficulties in initiating and maintaining sleep in young children, and it is important to diagnose and treat this symptomatology to mitigate its impact on these children’s sleep.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tryptophan Metabolism and Gut-Brain Homeostasis
- Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease and MCI: A Review
- Prioritized Research for the Prevention, Treatment, and Reversal of Chronic Disease: Recommendations From the Lifestyle Medicine Research Summit
- Relationship between sleep disorders and gut dysbiosis: what affects what?
- The role of CLOCK gene in psychiatric disorders: Evidence from human and animal research
- Genetic, Transcriptome, Proteomic, and Epidemiological Evidence for Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Polymicrobial Brain Invasion as Determinant Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.