Which of the following statements about REM sleep in infancy is true?

• A. Infants spend a greater proportion of their sleep in REM sleep compared to adults.
• B. REM sleep is almost absent in infants during the first year of life.
• C. Infants experience less REM sleep as a percentage of total sleep than older children.
• D. REM sleep in infancy is associated with decreased brain activity compared to non-REM sleep.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand what REM sleep is — REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is a unique phase of sleep characterized by rapid movement of the eyes, vivid dreaming, and increased brain activity similar to wakefulness.
2. Step 2: Recognize the developmental aspect — In infancy, sleep architecture differs significantly from adults, with infants spending more time in REM sleep as their brains are rapidly developing.
3. Step 3: Compare proportions — Infants spend a greater proportion of their total sleep time in REM sleep compared to adults, which supports brain maturation and neural development.
4. Step 4: Evaluate the incorrect options — REM sleep is not absent in infants; rather, it is quite prominent. Also, infants do not experience less REM sleep than older children; they experience more. Additionally, REM sleep is associated with increased, not decreased, brain activity.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the true statement is that infants spend a greater proportion of their sleep in REM sleep compared to adults, reflecting the importance of REM sleep in early brain development.