Sleep Disturbances and Their Associations with Child and Family Quality of Life in School-Aged Children Born Before 32 Weeks of Gestation: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study
Abstract
Highlights What are the main findings? Children born before 32 weeks had more sleep disturbances than term-born peers. Difficulties initiating/maintaining sleep and sleep–wake transition disorders were more frequent. Sleep disturbances independently predicted poorer parental quality of life. What are the implications of the main findings? Routine sleep screening should be incorporated into long-term follow-up of very preterm children. Family-centred interventions addressing sleep may improve parental well-being. Abstract Aim: To compare sleep disturbances, quality of life, and physical activity levels between school-aged children born before 32 weeks of gestation and healthy term-born peers, and to examine the associations of sleep disturbances with physical activity and quality of life in both children and their parents. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study included 55 children aged 7–8 years who were born before 32 weeks of gestation and 55 healthy term-born controls. Controls were frequency matched to the preterm group by age and sex to ensure comparable distributions of these key demographic characteristics. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), children’s quality of life using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), parental quality of life using the PedsQL Family Impact Module, and physical activity using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Results: The total SDSC score…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 55 participants or records.
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