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Persistently short sleep duration in childhood is associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder in early adulthood, according to new research published in JAMA Psychiatry. The study also suggests that inflammation may partially mediate this risk.
Study Overview
Researchers from the University of Birmingham analyzed data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which included 12,394 infants and children aged 6 months to 7 years. Parents reported their children’s sleep duration at multiple intervals: 6, 18, and 30 months, and at 3.5, 4-5, 5-6, and 6-7 years.
To explore the potential mediating role of inflammation, the study measured levels of inflammatory markers — C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) — at ages 9 and 15. At age 24, 3,889 participants were assessed for psychotic disorders.
Key Findings
The results revealed that children with persistently shorter sleep durations had a significantly higher risk of developing psychotic disorders in young adulthood, with an odds ratio of 2.50 (95% CI, 1.51-4.15; P < .001). Elevated IL-6 levels at age 9 partially mediated this association (P = .007), while CRP did not show a significant mediating effect.
Implications
The findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep problems in childhood as a potential strategy to reduce the risk of psychosis later in life. Isabel Morales-Muñoz, PhD, the study’s lead investigator, emphasized the critical role of early sleep interventions. “It’s entirely normal for children to suffer from sleep problems at different points in their childhood, but it’s also important to know when it might be time to seek help. Sometimes, sleep can become a persistent and chronic problem, and this is where we see links with psychiatric illness in adulthood,” she stated.
Practical Considerations
Understanding the connection between childhood sleep and long-term mental health is vital. “Understanding the role of sleep in early life is crucial for preventing psychosis and improving mental health outcomes,” Morales-Muñoz added.
Study Limitations
The study had some limitations, including the reliance on parent-reported sleep data, which could introduce bias. Additionally, the absence of data on daytime sleep might have affected the understanding of total sleep duration. The predominantly White, UK-based sample also limits the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
Funding and Disclosures
The research was supported by the UK Medical Research Council, Wellcome, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration. Full disclosures were provided in the original publication.
For more details, refer to the study published online on May 8 in JAMA Psychiatry.
