Sex differences in childhood sleep and health implications

Context Sleep is critical for optimal childhood metabolic health and neurodevelopment. However, there is limited knowledge regarding childhood sex differences in sleep, including children with neurodevelopmental disorders, and the impact of such differences on metabolic health. Objective To evaluate if sex differences in childhood sleep exist and if sleep associates with metabolic health outcomes equally by sex. Using autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a case study, we also examine sleep sex differences in children with a neurodevelopmental disorder. Methods A narrative review explored the literature focussing on sex differences in childhood sleep. Results Sex differences in sleep were not detected among pre-adolescents. However, female adolescents were more likely to report impaired sleep than males. Childhood obesity is more common in males. Shorter sleep duration may be associated with obesity in male pre-adolescents/adolescents; although findings are mixed. ASD is male-predominant; yet, there was an indication that pre-adolescent female children with ASD had more impaired sleep. Conclusion Sex differences in sleep appear to emerge in adolescence with more impaired sleep in females. This trend was also observed among pre-adolescent female children with ASD. Further research is needed on sex differences in childhood sleep and metabolic health and the underlying mechanisms driving these differences.

Automated summary

The study found that sex differences in childhood sleep mainly manifest in more sleep problems reported by female adolescents, while no sex differences in sleep were found among pre-adolescents. Males are more likely to have childhood obesity. Shorter sleep duration in boys may be associated with obesity, although research findings vary. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is more common in males, but there are indications that pre-adolescent girls with ASD have more sleep problems.