How Do Patterns of Sleep Change Over the Lifespan

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The answer should include the following information: Circadian rhythms develop before birth with daily variations in movement evident by the fifth month of prenatal development. Active (REM) and quiet (NREM) sleep cycles emerge during the third trimester with REM and NREM sleep clearly distinguishable in the last weeks prior to birth. After birth, up to 8 hours is spent in REM sleep-about 50 percent of the newborn's sleep time. The remainder of the time, babies spend in quiet sleep, similar to NREM stages 1 and Answer: NREM stages 3 and 4 appear about 3 months of age. Initially, infants experience 60 minute sleep cycles with the typical 90-minute sleep cycle that is seen in adults appearing by the time the child is 5 years old. From childhood through late adulthood, the pattern of a typical night's sleep changes such that total sleep time decreases, as well as the percentage of time spent in Stages 3 and 4 sleep. More time is spent in lighter NREM stages 1 and 2 sleep. REM sleep increases during childhood and adolescence, is stable throughout adulthood, and then declines in late adulthood.

How Do Patterns of Sleep Change Over the Lifespan

Definitions: