Phase 1: Cohort data study

This phase is complete. We used data from the Cleft Collective (The Cleft Collective | Bristol Dental School | University of Bristol) to explore parental reports of sleep and their relationship to reports of language development. We found that children with who were reported to have sufficient sleep showed better language outcomes from 18 months to 5 years of age, with the relationship remaining significant at age 5 even after accounting for other factors. Children with Robin Sequence and syndromic diagnoses were more likely to experience sleep concerns.

Findings are available open access here:

van Eeden, S., & Knowland, V. C. (2026). Exploring Sleep Behavior and Language Outcomes in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate Using Data from a National Cohort Study. The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, https://doi:10556656261423833.