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Abstract

Background:The impact of screen time on sleep patterns in preschool-age children is an important area of concern due to the increasing prevalence of digital media usage in this vulnerable population.Aim: to examine the association between screen time and sleep patterns in 200 preschool-age children (aged 3 to 5 years).This study employed a longitudinal observational design to investigate the association between screen times and sleep patterns in preschool-age children over an extended period.The longitudinal approach allowed for the examination of changes in screen time and sleep patterns within the same participants over time, enabling a deeper understanding of the potential bidirectional relationship between these two variables.The participants were evenly distributed across genders and were recruited from various educational institutions and community centres. Results:The results revealed that preschool-age children spent an average of 2.5 hours per day engaged in screen-based activities, including watching television, using tablets, smartphones, or computers for educational or recreational purposes.Additionally, the average total sleep duration for these children was 10.1 hours per night.The study identified a significant negative correlation between daily screen time and total sleep duration (r = -0.32,p< 0.001).This negative association indicates that as screen time increased, total sleep duration decreased in preschool-age children.Moreover, children with higher screen time usage experienced more fragmented sleep patterns, as evidenced by an increased number of nighttime awakenings (p = 0.023).The statistical significance of this association further suggests that excessive screen time may contribute to disrupted sleep patterns and more frequent nighttime awakenings. Conclusion:This longitudinal observational study strengthens the evidence supporting the association between screen time and sleep patterns in preschool-age children.As screen technology continues to play a prominent role in young children's lives, these findings hold crucial implications for promoting healthy screen time habits and preserving optimal sleep quality in early childhood.