Neonatal sleep physiology and early executive functioning in preterm children

This study links objective neonatal sleep measurements-using polysomnography and automated sleep staging-with later executive functioning development in preterm children. Neonatal sleep duration, particularly Total Sleep Time, is positively associated with executive functioning at 2 years in children born preterm. This study highlights neonatal sleep as a potential early marker of altered brain development. The findings support the importance of protecting and improving sleep in the NICU as a possible modifiable factor that could enhance early brain maturation and neurodevelopment.