Verificação dos padrões de sono em prematuros acompanhados no ambulatório de follow up da Maternidade Escola Da UFRJ

Abstract

It is crucial that the body rests through adequate sleep so that it can function optimally. However, during childhood, sleep disorders are relatively common and may affect children’s physical and cognitive development. Furthermore, in the context of prematurity, information about difficulties in sleep-wake transitions remains scarce. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe sleep habits, possible disorders, and sleep disturbances in infants born prematurely and followed at the Follow-Up Outpatient Clinic of the Maternidade Escola at UFRJ. This is an observational and descriptive study. Data collection occurred between May and July 2024, using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ-R), validated for Brazil, applied to preterm infants followed by the institution’s Follow-Up Service. Data were entered and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Maternidade Escola at UFRJ under protocol number CAAE: 79001924.6.0000.5275. Results: Heterogeneous sleep patterns were identified among preterm infants: 24.24% of the children had low scores (<60), suggesting poor and potentially impaired sleep; 48.48% had moderate scores, with some difficulties such as multiple night wakings or shorter total sleep duration; and 27.27% reached high scores (>75), indicating a good sleep pattern. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of considering individual variability in infant sleep development. Longitudinal investigation of these patterns may provide valuable insights for early interventions and for promoting care practices more tailored to each family’s needs. Future studies should consider objective methodologies, such as actigraphy, for more accurate assessment of sleep patterns.