SLEEP IN PREMATURE AND FULL-TERM INFANTS FROM 24-HOUR HOME RECORDINGS

The sleep/wake states of 20 premature and 22 fullterm infants were compared from 24-hour recordings obtained in the home. Using a nonintrusive home monitoring system, they were recorded once a week when they were 1 to 5 weeks postterm. Significant individual differences were found for both groups for all measures obtained. Developmental changes in Active Sleep and Quiet Sleep were found in both groups. Both groups showed more Waking during the day and more of the two sleep states at night. Both groups showed ultradian cyclicity from the first postterm week. The groups did not differ with respect to stability of their sleep patterns over weeks. However, the premature infants had more Quiet Sleep, longer Quiet Sleep bouts, and less Active Sleep, The state differences suggest a more uneven developmental course for states in prematures, and this may reflect compromise in their Central Nervous System status as a consequence of perinatal and early postnatal stress.