Italian children early sleep habits and awakenings: nascita cohort study

Background - Previous studies analyzed the characteristics and prevalence of sleep problems in Italian children. However, less attention is shed on the factors involved in sleep disturbances in the first two years of life. Aims - To provide a developmental trajectory of Italian infants’ sleep patterns during the first two years of life and to analyze what factors affect it most over time. Materials and Methods - Data for this study were collected within the NASCITA cohort. During the well-child visits conducted at 6, 12, and 24 months, paediatricians asked parents to report if their children had any sleep disturbances, particularly frequent night awakenings. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to test the association between child and family variables and the likelihood of frequent awakenings. Results - 2,973 toddlers were included in this study; 875 (29.4%) toddlers presented frequent awakenings in at least one visit (peak of prevalence of 19.8% at 12 months). Bed-sharing (adjusted OR 2.53; 95% CI: 2.05-3.12) and living in the North of Italy (aOR 2.25; 95% CI:1.80-2.81) were the variables more strongly associated with an increased likelihood of frequent awakenings in the binomial logistic regression, while sleeping alone was associated with a decreased chance (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45-0.89). Conclusion - The current study identifies some early predictors of frequent awakenings during the first two years of life. Since optimal sleep practices in children are essential for their development, paediatric care practices must define and integrate early effective interventions.