New and Noteworthy Information—March 2015

Insomnia in childhood and adolescence partially results from genetic factors, according to a study published in the January issue of Sleep. The study group included 1,412 twin pairs between the ages of 8 and 18. Participants were followed-up at three time points. The average ages at each of the four stages of the study were 8, 10, 14, and 15. The results showed that clinically significant insomnia was moderately heritable at all stages of the longitudinal study. Genetic factors contributed 33% to 38% of the insomnia ratings at the first two stages of the study, when participants were an average age of 8 to 10. “Insomnia in youth is moderately related to genetic factors, but the specific genetic factors may change with age,” stated the investigators.

People with epilepsy who sleep on their stomach may be at a higher risk of sudden unexpected death, according to a literature review published online ahead of print January 21 in Neurology. Researchers found that 73% of the deaths occurred while individuals were sleeping on their stomachs, compared with 27% of deaths that occurred during other sleep positions. In a subgroup of 88 people, researchers found that people younger than 40 were four times more likely to be found on their stomach at the time of sudden death than people older than 40. A total of 86% of those under 40 slept on their stomach, compared with 60% of people older than 40. Eleven sudden deaths occurred while the participants were being monitored with video EEG.

—Kimberly D. Williams