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Early Sleep Differences Found in Infants with Down Syndrome or Autism Risk
A new study led by Dr. Annette Estes and researchers at the UW Autism Center shows that some babies, particularly those with Down syndrome or a family history of autism, begin to show sleep differences as early as 6 months old. These differences become more noticeable by their first birthday and may offer an important early opportunity to support families.
The study followed nearly 300 babies across three groups: infants with Down syndrome, infants with an older sibling with autism, and infants with no known family history of autism. Parents completed sleep questionnaires when their babies were 6 and 12 months old. By one year of age, babies in the Down syndrome and family-history-of-autism groups were sleeping less at night, waking more often, and especially for those with a family history of autism, taking longer to fall asleep. These sleep changes were not seen in the group with no family history of autism. Interestingly, at 6 months, parents of babies with Down syndrome reported fewer concerns about sleep and less night wakefulness compared to the low-likelihood group. But by 12 months, night wakings increased significantly, and these concerns became more pronounced.
The findings show that sleep differences in infants with Down syndrome or a higher likelihood of autism can emerge during the first year of life. The study suggests that the underlying causes of these sleep patterns may be valuable early intervention targets. Researchers also note that understanding how and when parents begin to observe sleep issues could help improve support and education for families navigating developmental concerns.
Sleep plays a critical role in brain development, learning, memory, and emotional well-being. Disrupted sleep in infancy can affect both the child and the family and may relate to challenges later in development. The study emphasizes the value of early conversations between healthcare providers and parents about infant sleep, particularly in families with known developmental risks.
Future studies incorporating objective sleep measures could provide further insight into these findings and help clarify the relationship between early sleep disturbances and later developmental outcomes.
Read the full study: Sleep in Infants with Down Syndrome or Familial Likelihood of Autism in the First Year of Life (PDF).
