Infant sleep characteristics in children with autism spectrum disorder: a population-derived Australian birth cohort study
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To examine the prospective associations between infant sleep patterns and subsequent autism characteristics and diagnosis in a population-derived sample.
DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Population-derived birth cohort study in Victoria, Australia's Barwon region, with 1074 mother-infant pairs recruited from June 2010 to 2013.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infant sleep characteristics via the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire at 6 months (n=925) and 12 months (n=885). Parent-reported autism characteristics measured using the Child Behaviour Checklist for Ages 1½-5 (CBCL/1½-5; n=676) at 2 years and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for report for ages 4-10 (SDQ/P4-10; n=791) at 4 years. Autism Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) diagnoses (n=64) were confirmed by 11.5 years.
RESULTS: At 6 months, each 10% increase (~1 hour) in night sleep duration was associated with fewer autism characteristics at 2 years (4.5% decrease, CBCL/1½-5) and 4 years (4.5% decrease, SDQ/P4-10) and 22% lower autism DSM-5 diagnosis odds by 11.5 years (adjusted mean difference (AMD): -0.02, 95% CI: -0.04 to -0.01; AMD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.03 to -0.007; adjusted OR (AOR): 0.78, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.94). At 12 months, each 25% increase in sleep latency (~5 min) was associated with more autism characteristics (1.5% increase, CBCL/1½-5, AMD: 0.006, 95% CI: 0.002 to 0.01) and 7.7% higher autism diagnosis odds (AOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.13). Among diagnosed…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 925 participants or records.
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.