Work

Sleep and Trajectories of Respiratory and Allergic Symptoms Between 1 and 5.5 Years of Age in the Elfe Birth Cohort

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Sleep troubles and respiratory and allergic health issues are associated in children, but the timeline of their association is overlooked. This study investigates the associations between sleep patterns at age 1 and respiratory and allergic multi-trajectories (RespA-MTG) between ages 1 and 5.5, and the associations between these multi-trajectories and sleep at age 5.5 in the ELFE birth cohort. Sleep clusters at ages 1 and 5.5 (based on nocturnal and diurnal sleep duration, sleep onset difficulties, and night awakenings) and RespA-MTG between ages 1 and 5.5 (based on wheezing, asthma medication, eczema, allergic conjunctivitis) were identified using data-driven methods. Associations between sleep clusters and RespA-MTG were assessed using multinomial regressions adjusted for confounders in 9577 children. Two sleep clusters were identified at ages 1 and 5.5: good sleepers (79.9% at age 1, 83.1% at 5.5) and poor sleepers (20.1% and 16.9%, respectively). Four RespA-MTG were identified: pauci-symptomatic (44.4%), persistent non-respiratory allergic symptoms (23.1%), transient early respiratory symptoms (25.2%), and persistent respiratory and allergic symptoms (7.3%). Poor sleep at age 1 was associated with higher odds of transient early respiratory symptoms (Odds Ratio [95% Confidence Interval], 1.14 [0.99-1.31]) and persistent respiratory and allergic symptoms (1.29 [1.05-1.59]). Results were reinforced in children without wheezing at 2 months. A borderline association was observed between persistent respiratory and allergic symptoms and sleep at 5.5 in good sleepers at 1 year (1.22 [0.98-1.50]). In conclusion, sleep disturbances at age 1 are associated with later poorer respiratory and allergic health, suggesting early sleep troubles may predict these health concerns.

Source: Journal of Sleep Research

DOI: 10.1111/jsr.70208