Profile of sleep problems and its relation to sleeping habits in toddlers

Background: Sleep is essential for the neurological development, cognition and behavior of children. Sleep problems affect 15-40% of children globally, with a prevalence of 47.5% in India. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and profile of sleep problems in toddlers aged 1-3 years. Methods: A 24-month cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Bangalore with 1,255 children aged 1-3 years visiting the outpatient department. Sleep problems were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). A Total Sleep Disturbance score of 41 or higher, based on responses to all 33 items across the eight subscales, suggests the presence of a sleep disturbance. Results: Of the children, 48.3% experienced sleep problems, with a higher prevalence in children aged 1-2 years (32.7%) compared to 2-3 years (67.3%). Most children (54.7%) were male. The most common bedtime was 9:00 pm. Average sleep durations were: 9.41±1.55 hours at night, 2.30±0.79 hours during the day and 11.80±1.43 hours total sleep. Most children woke up twice during the night (28%). The mean CSHQ score was 40.55±4.24. Factors such as age, bedtime and number of awakenings were linked to sleep problems. The lowest prevalence was found in those sleeping at 8:30 pm (18.2%). Sleep problems were more common in children with 4 nighttime awakenings (75%). Conclusions: Sleep disorders are common in toddlers, highlighting the need for pediatricians to identify and address sleep problems early.