'Sleep problem gene' remains active throughout life

Dutch researchers collected genetic information from 2,500 unborn babies and followed them until the age of 15 to monitor their sleep patterns.

The researchers found that those who possess genes affecting sleep are more likely to wake up during the night compared to adolescents who do not have the same DNA pattern.

Researchers from the Erasmus MC University Medical Center in the Netherlands pointed out the importance of identifying poor sleep patterns early in a child's life to prevent lifelong insomnia in light of these new results.

DNA samples were collected using umbilical cord blood from 2,458 European children born between April 2002 and January 2006, as well as from six-year-old children.

LIFELONG ACTIVE

In addition to DNA analysis, mothers reported their children's sleep patterns at one and a half, three, and six years of age, and later between the ages of 10 and 15. A subgroup of 975 adolescents used sleep tracking devices for approximately two weeks.

The researchers noted that the gene causing sleep problems is active throughout life and that identifying this condition is important for resolving the issue.

Addressing sleep problems early in a child's life is extremely important for their developmental and academic success. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2022 also revealed that approximately 93 percent of C-grade students, 83 percent of B-grade students, and 36 percent of A-grade students experienced sleep disorders.

A survey conducted by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that more than 87 percent of American high school students sleep less than the recommended 8 to 10 hours. The American Academy of Pediatrics had also stated that the problem of low sleep quality among adolescents is caused by digital media use, caffeine consumption, and early school start times.