Longitudinal associations between parent, child, family factors and dyssomnias in children from birth to 8 years: The CIKEO study

Background: Dyssomnias, are the most common parent-reported sleep complaints in young children. The present study investigated the prevalence, one-year development (incidence and persistence) of dyssomnia in early childhood, and the parent, child, and family factors associated with dyssomnia.Methods: Longitudinal data of 700 children aged 0-8, gathered in the CIKEO cohort study in the Netherlands were analyzed. Dyssomnias were defined as the presence of night awakenings >= 3 times per night or sleep-onset latency of >30 min. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to identify the parental, child, and family factors associated with the incidence and persistence of dyssomnias in children.Results: The mean age of the children (47 % girls) was 3.2 +/- 1.9 years at baseline and 4.4 +/- 1.8 years at follow-up. The prevalence of dyssomnias was 13.3 % and 15.4 % at baseline and follow-up, respectively. The incidence and persistence rates of dyssomnias at follow-up were 12.0 % and 37.6 %, respectively. New incidence of insomnia was associated with being a girl, having medical conditions, experiencing stressful life events, and lower parenting self-efficacy at baseline (P < 0.05). Higher levels of parental psychological distress were asso-ciated with the persistence of dyssomnias in children (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Dyssomnias are common with a moderate persistent rate in young children. Several parental, child, and family factors in relation to the incidence and persistence of dyssomnias were identified. Preventive pro-grams and interventions targeting modifiable factors, particularly parental psychological distress, parenting self-efficacy, and resilience to stressful life events, might benefit child sleep.

Automated summary

This study investigated the prevalence, one-year development, and associated factors of dyssomnia in young children. The results showed that dyssomnia is common with a moderate persistent rate. Factors such as being a girl, having medical conditions, experiencing stressful life events, and lower parenting self-efficacy were found to be associated with the incidence and persistence of dyssomnia. Parental psychological distress was also identified as a factor for the persistence of dyssomnia in children.