Genetic Factors Implicated in Sleep Troubles Among Children: Insights from a Study
Discovering a genetic predisposition for insomnia in children, a recent study sheds light on the issue However, experts assure that there are still effective measures parents can take to assist their kids in achieving better sleep
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Latest research on genetics and children's sleep disorders strongly emphasizes the significance of establishing healthy bedtime routines for your child, especially if one parent experiences chronic sleep problems.
Scientists have repeatedly discovered that adults with a genetic predisposition for sleep problems, like insomnia, exist, which has led to speculation about whether the same occurrence is present in children. The first study conducted on this subject by experts now confirms that genetic susceptibility to being a "poor sleeper" can indeed be identified at an early stage of life.
According to a study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry on Wednesday, children who have a genetic predisposition to insomnia experience more sleep issues related to insomnia, such as struggling to fall asleep or frequently waking up during the night.
Sleep problems in childhood could remain through adulthood, experts said.
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According to senior author Dr. Eus van Someren, head of the department of sleep and cognition at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam, the findings might surprise many people. In an email, he mentioned that there is a common belief that insomnia develops later in life, but their research clearly demonstrates that signs of the risk of insomnia in adulthood are already present in early childhood.
Experts emphasize that while genetics play a role in sleep problems, it is not the whole story. Therefore, taking care of your child's sleep hygiene can still have an impact.
The study assessed sleeplessness in children by examining data from 2,458 European children. These children were part of the Generation R study, which recruited pregnant women with due dates between 2002 and 2006. This allowed researchers to track the health of the children from prenatal life to adulthood. As part of the study, DNA samples were obtained from either the umbilical cord blood or the children themselves when they reached the age of 6.
When the children were 1 ½, 3, 6, and between 10 and 15 years old, their mothers provided information about their sleep habits. This included difficulties in falling asleep, sleeping less than other children, or frequently waking up during the night. Additionally, 975 participants wore sleep-tracking watches for nine days twice between the ages of 10 and 15.
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How just 39 minutes of sleep can make or break your childs health, happiness and school day
The authors discovered that a genetic predisposition to insomnia in children was linked to insomnia-like symptoms reported by their mothers. However, these symptoms were not detected by the more objective sleep trackers.
This may be due to the fact that sometimes individuals, in this case the mothers in the study tracking their children's sleep, perceive insomnia even when there is an adequate quantity of sleep. Dr. Amita Sehgal, director of the Chronobiology and Sleep Institute at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, suggests that the quality of sleep may simply not be restful enough.
Having a genetic inclination for longer sleep duration was found to correspond with an average increase of three minutes in objective measurements recorded by sleep trackers. Furthermore, participants experienced an additional three minutes of uninterrupted sleep throughout the night. Sehgal, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, stated that the presence of a genetic basis for sleep in children, as seen in adults, was expected. The puzzling question remains: if sleep patterns are genetically influenced, why does this predisposition not emerge earlier in life?
Good sleep hygiene for kids
There is still hope for your childs sleep health.
More research is required to determine the mechanisms that contribute to the results, "in addition to the genetic predisposition for other behavioral and psychiatric characteristics," stated Dr. Desana Kocevska, the lead author of the study and a sleep scientist in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, via email.
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"For this group, sleep hygiene practices from an early age may be particularly important," stated Kocevska in reference to her study's findings, which suggest that children whose parents have trouble sleeping may be more susceptible to sleep issues.
is best supported by making sure they have finished eating a few hours before going to bed and creating a dark and comfortable sleeping environment, according to Sehgal.
Additionally, take note of your child's individual circadian rhythm, observing their usual periods of alertness or propensity for sleep, without explaining the reasoning behind it or making any remarks. It is important not to impose an early bedtime on a child who naturally prefers staying up later, Sehgal suggests.
Sehgal acknowledged that this flexibility is usually only possible before children reach school age, as school start times often do not align with their natural circadian rhythms.
"Something that we in the circadian field have been fighting for a long time is (that) the school timings are all wrong," she said.
When to take your child to a sleep specialist
Though elementary-age children typically wake up early and adolescents tend to sleep late, the former begin school later in the day while the latter start very early.
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Revised: The implementation of policy changes could greatly support parents and caregivers in ensuring optimal sleep health for their children, aligning with their individual body requirements.
The timing for your child to see a specialist will vary depending on the severity of the issue, according to Sehgal.
"If the problem isn't severely impacting their daily life, and they are generally happy and doing well academically and socially, you may not need to take any extensive measures," she explained. "However, if the problem is significantly affecting them in any of these areas, then it is recommended to seek a specialist."
