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Longer nocturnal sleep duration is associated with higher personal-social development and communication scores in 12-month-old Iranian infants

In a sample of 646 Iranian infants, longer nocturnal sleep duration was significantly associated with higher personal-social development scores (β=0.52, p=0.03) and better communication scores (β=0.42, p=0.05). Increased night waking duration was negatively associated with personal-social (β=-0.92, p<0.001) and total ASQ scores (β=-2.01, p=0.004).

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. The associations between infant sleep habits and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months: a sub-study of the PERSIAN birth cohort.

observational

Bemanalizadeh M, Yazdi M, Yaghini O, Goli P, Daniali SS, Kelishadi R · Pediatric research (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: 12 months (cross-sectional at 12 months)
Intervention: Infant sleep habits (nocturnal sleep duration, night waking frequency and duration, sleep onset time, sleep latency)
Outcome: Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months measured by Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, personal-social
Effect Size: β=0.52 for personal-social; β=0.42 for communication; β=-0.92 for night waking duration and personal-social; β=-2.01 for night waking duration and total ASQ; β=-0.44 for night waking frequency and problem-solving; β=-0.59 for later sleep onset and personal-social
Population: 646 infants from the PERSIAN Birth Cohort in Isfahan, Iran

Result:

PubMed: 42365166DOI: 10.1038/s41390-026-05236-5

Mechanism Graph

Longer nocturnal sleep duration may support brain maturation and synaptic plasticity
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Reduced night waking duration and frequency may reflect more consolidated sleep
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Consolidated sleep facilitates memory consolidation and cognitive processing
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Result: Improved social, communicative, and problem-solving development

Limitations

  • ⚠Observational study design cannot establish causality
  • ⚠Sleep and developmental outcomes were measured concurrently at 12 months, limiting temporal inference
  • ⚠Reliance on parent-reported sleep and developmental questionnaires may introduce recall bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What sleep parameters were associated with better neurodevelopment in this study?▼

Longer nocturnal sleep duration was associated with higher personal-social and communication scores, while more night waking duration and frequency, and later sleep onset were linked to lower scores in personal-social, problem-solving, and total ASQ.

How was infant sleep measured in this study?▼

Sleep characteristics were assessed using the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ), which included nocturnal and daytime sleep duration, night waking frequency and duration, sleep onset time, and sleep latency.

What population was studied in this research?▼

The study included 646 Iranian infants from the PERSIAN Birth Cohort in Isfahan, Iran, assessed at 12 months of age.

What are the clinical implications of these findings?▼

The findings suggest that routine sleep assessments and culturally sensitive sleep interventions may be important in pediatric care to support early neurodevelopment.

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References

  1. 1.Bemanalizadeh M, Yazdi M, Yaghini O, Goli P, Daniali SS, Kelishadi R. "The associations between infant sleep habits and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months: a sub-study of the PERSIAN birth cohort.." Pediatric research, 2026. PMID: 42365166 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-026-05236-5
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.