P048 Sleep in early childhood: Characteristics of infant sleep and mother-perceived sleep problems at 12-weeks postpartum, and the associations between perinatal depression and sleep in infants and preschoolers

Abstract Introduction Sleep in the first years of life is the product of a complex interplay between numerous biopsychosocial factors. To further explore this, we first investigated sleep health equity in the infants of Māori (n=383) and non-Māori (n=702) mothers, the socio-ecological factors associated with infant sleep, and the characteristics of mother-perceived infant sleep problems. Next, we examined the role maternal depression in infant and preschooler sleep health. Methods Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of Moe Kura data collected in pregnancy(T1), 12-weeks postpartum(T2), and 3-years post-birth(T3). Multivariable and ordinal logistic models assessed the impact of different socio-ecological factors on infant sleep. Binary logistic models examined longitudinal associations between perinatal depression and infant and preschooler sleep, adjusting for key socio-demographic variables. Results Key developmental markers of infant sleep did not differ by maternal ethnicity. There were some ethnicity-based differences in sleep location. Bed-sharing and several socio-demographic factors were related to different dimensions of infant sleep, and mother-perceived sleep problems. Clinically significant prenatal depression was associated with less consolidated sleep in infants, and shorter sleep duration, greater average midsleep difference, CSHQ score, and sleep problems in preschoolers. Prenatal depressive remained independently associated with short sleep durations in preschoolers after controlling for key socio-demographic and sleep variables, and postnatal and concurrent depressive symptoms. Discussion Sleep at 12-weeks is highly variable and is associated with numerous socio-ecological factors. Sleep appears to be one pathway by which perinatal depression confers risk for poor child health outcomes. Findings support the need for more and better perinatal psychological services.