Enough Sleep is a must for Kids

The amount of sleep a child gets plays a role in the risk of injury from accidents, according to a new study. 

Researchers in Italy studied almost 300 children who came to an emergency center. The parents were interviewed about the child's injury and the sleep habits. Researchers compared the amount of sleep 24 hours before the injury to the amount of sleep 25 to 48 hours before the accident. 

Researchers found that more children had longer hours of sleep during the 25 to 48 hours before the accident than during the 24 hours before the injury. However, the difference was significant for boys only. Researchers say there is a direct association in boys between injury risk and sleeping less than 10 hours. The risk was particularly strong among boys in nursery schools. Researchers also found an association between injury occurring between 4 p.m. and midnight and being awake for at least eight hours before the accident. 

Researchers conclude that inadequate sleep and lack of daytime naps may increase the risk of injury among children. However, they add that because of the small number of participants in their study, more research is needed on this topic.