Co-developing sleep-wake and sensory foundations for cognition in the human fetus and newborn
2024
Sleep and Sensory Development in Newborns
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Kimberley Whitehead
Primary Institution: King’s College London
Hypothesis
How do sleep-wake states interact with sensory inputs in the fetus and newborn?
Conclusion
Sensory and sleep-wake functions are interconnected during early human development, and disruptions can lead to later neurodevelopmental issues.
Supporting Evidence
- Sensory inputs are organized by sleep-wake state in the fetus and newborn.
- Sleep-wake and sensory processing foundations for cognition are intertwined.
- Perinatal brain insults perturb both foundations.
- Perinatal functional neuroimaging can beneficially account for sleep-wake state.
Takeaway
Babies learn about the world while they sleep, and how they sleep affects how they sense things around them.
Methodology
The study reviews existing literature on sleep-wake organization and sensory input in fetuses and newborns, focusing on their interactions and implications for neurodevelopment.
Limitations
The review is based on existing literature and may not include all recent findings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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