Dados do Trabalho

Título

Circadian rhythm consolidation is associated with early childhood development status in the first years of life

Introdução

Early childhood is a period of the complex neural development processes, resulting from the maturation of the nervous system and the formation of neural circuits. Exposure to adverse factors during early childhood can have long-term consequences, as the foundations of cognitive development are established during this critical period. Therefore, the consolidation of circadian rhythmicity emerges as a significant factor in the trajectory of early childhood development.

Objetivo

The objective of this study was to evaluate child development and the consolidation of circadian rhythmicity during the early childhood.

Métodos

Rest-activity data measured by means actigraphy and child development status was assessed by means a questionnaire, Caregiver Reported Early Development Instruments (CREDI) short form. Data were collected from 32 infants, aged 3 to 35 months. and . In order to evaluate possible correlations between overall CREDI score and non-parametric rest-activity variables, the Spearman correlation test was performed, and to evaluate the individual effect of RA on the variability in the overall CREDI score, controlling for the effect of age, an alternative regression model was constructed based on the residualized components of RA and overall CREDI score.

Resultados

It was found a correlation between overall CREDI score and both RA (r = 0,74, p < 0.001) and M10 (r = 0,73, p < 0,001), and the individual effect of RA was able to predict 24% (R² = 0,24; R² adjusted = 0,21) of the variability in the overall CREDI score.

Conclusões

Our results showed that increased circadian amplitude, reflecting circadian rhythm consolidation, was associated with better developmental status in early childhood.

Palavras -chave

Circadian rhythm consolidation, early childhood, child development, rest-activity.