Питание и сон ребенка: существует ли связь?

Human and especially children sleep is an important and complicated physiological phenomenon. The questions of the nature of sleep are studied by a relatively new field of science — somnology. The quality of sleep influences behavioral reactions as well as cognitive functions. Profound studies of sleep phenomenon were started in the middle of the 20th century. Formation of diurnal rhythm of sleep and wakefulness takes place in children during the first months of life. It is established that certain nutrients (tryptophan and serotonin, which are the sources of melatonin, complex carbohydrates, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids etc.) along with external factors participate in development of circadian rhythms of sleep and wakefulness. Those nutrients which can influence on formation of sleep/wakefulness rhythms were named «chrononutrients». The article describes the methods of sleep characteristics study in children and influence of certain nutrients on these characteristics.