Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development

Yanqiong RAO; Shujin LI; Jihua CUI; Yanhui SUN; Yu SONG; Yanfei YANG; Yu LING

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Yanqiong RAO, Shujin LI, Jihua CUI, Yanhui SUN, Yu SONG, Yanfei YANG, Yu LING. Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

Citation:

Yanqiong RAO, Shujin LI, Jihua CUI, Yanhui SUN, Yu SONG, Yanfei YANG, Yu LING. Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

Yanqiong RAO, Shujin LI, Jihua CUI, Yanhui SUN, Yu SONG, Yanfei YANG, Yu LING. Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

Citation:

Yanqiong RAO, Shujin LI, Jihua CUI, Yanhui SUN, Yu SONG, Yanfei YANG, Yu LING. Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

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Relationship between Infant Sleep and Cognitive Development

Department of Child Health Care，Kunming Children’s Hospital/Children’s Hospital Affiliated with Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650034，China

Received Date: 2025-12-08
Available Online: 2026-01-13

Abstract

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between sleep patterns and cognitive development in children aged 6-35 months with sleep problems. Methods A total of 290 children （154 boys, 136 girls） aged 6～35 months with sleep problems, who presented to the Department of Child Health Care at Kunming Children’s Hospital between October 2023 and March 2025, were selected as the study subjects. Their sleep patterns and cognitive development levels were assessed using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire （BISQ） and the Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese Language Edition （GDS-C）, respectively. Linear regression analysis were employed to investigate the relationship between sleep and cognitive development. Results Both nighttime sleep duration and the frequency of nighttime awakenings were associated with development in the motor and personal-social domains （all P < 0.05）. Linear regression analysis identified that a nighttime sleep duration of > 9 hours was beneficial for motor developmen （all P < 0.05）. In contrast, the frequency of nighttime awakenings was negatively associated with both motor and personal-social development, showing adverse effects on these domains （all P < 0.05）. Conclusion Sleep deprivation and nighttime awakenings are closely related to cognitive developmental levels in children aged 6-35 months. Therefore, sleep-related parenting guidance and intervention may serve as an effective approach to promote early childhood development.
- Infants,
- Sleep,
- Cognitive development

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References(38)

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