Sleep Duration Transitions Among Children With Central Precocious Puberty Across Pubertal Development.

PURPOSE: The relationships between insufficient sleep, later bedtime, and central precocious puberty (CPP) among children remain unclear. No study has ever longitudinally followed the sleep parameters among children with CPP throughout pubertal growth. This study aimed to investigate the independent sleep parameters associated with CPP in children and examine the changes in sleep duration that occur before and after puberty onset.

METHODS

Data from 2238 children in the Taiwan Pubertal Longitudinal Study were analyzed to identify critical sleep parameters associated with CPP. In addition, longitudinal measures of sleep parameters and pubertal staging were assessed every 3 months following enrollment to examine the relationship between crucial puberty onset period and sleep duration transitions.

RESULTS

CPP status was associated with age (p < .001), gender (p < .001), fat percentage (p < .001), and moderate physical activity (p = .007). Girls with CPP were more likely to report insufficient sleep (odds ratio, 1.329; 95% confidence interval, 1.061-1.664; p = .013) and late bedtime (odds ratio, 1.576; 95% confidence interval, 1.144-2.171; p = .005) compared to girls without CPP. However, none of the sleep-related parameters were significantly associated with an increased risk of CPP in boys.

DISCUSSION: Insufficient sleep and late bedtime may be critical determinants of CPP. Due to their modifiable nature, we recommend that girls maintain sufficient sleep duration and adhere to earlier sleep times, particularly before puberty.