Stacey D Elkhatib Smidt1,2,3, Talia Hitt4, Babette S Zemel5,6, Jonathan A Mitchell5,6. 1. Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 2. Sleep Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 3. Division of Sleep Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 4. Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 5. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 6. Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Abstract
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
Sleep; autism spectrum disorder; obesity; paediatrics; sex
Authors: Christian Vollmer; Konrad S Jankowski; Juan F Díaz-Morales; Heike Itzek-Greulich; Peter Wüst-Ackermann; Christoph Randler Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2016-11-19 Impact factor: 3.492
Authors: Hanna Kische; Ralf Ewert; Ingo Fietze; Stefan Gross; Henri Wallaschofski; Henry Völzke; Marcus Dörr; Matthias Nauck; Anne Obst; Beate Stubbe; Thomas Penzel; Robin Haring Journal: J Clin Endocrinol Metab Date: 2016-07-12 Impact factor: 5.958
Authors: Elsie M Taveras; Matthew W Gillman; Michelle-Marie Peña; Susan Redline; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 7.124