Sleep problems and poor academic performance in primary school children

Objective Sleep problems may affect daytime performance. Thus, the prevalence of sleep problems and their associations with poor academic performance in a cross-sectional study performed in 27 primary schools in Hannover, Germany, were investigated. Methods Sleep problems (e.g., sleep onset delays, night awakenings, sleepwalking, nightmares, and bedwetting) were examined by parental and children’s questionnaires. Poor academic performance, defined as grade 4 or more on a 6-point scale, or requirement for additional lessons in mathematics, science, reading, spelling, or handwriting was assessed using grades from the last term’s school report forms. Results Of 1,144 children enrolled (mean age 9.6 years, 51% males), 760 (66.4%) had sleep problems reported by their parents, with sleep onset delays having the highest prevalence (prevalence 49.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 46.1–51.9). Children reported sleep problems more frequently than their parents. Significant associations with academic performance were found for night awakenings and nightmares; however, clear dose–response relationships were only found for nightmares. Children who “often” had nightmares ( n = 24) were more likely to have poor academic performance in mathematics (odds ratio 5.2, 95% CI 1.6–17.1), science (6.8, 95% CI 1.4–32.1), and spelling (7.5, 95% CI 2.3–24.9). Conclusion Sleep problems are common in primary school children. Among these, nightmares may have a negative impact on academic performance.