Compared with a healthy young adult in whom REM sleep constitutes approximately 25 percent of total sleep time, what proportion of total sleep time is occupied by REM sleep in a full-term newborn?
- A Approximately 10 percent
- B Approximately 35 percent
- C Approximately 50 percent ✓
- D Less than 5 percent
Correct answer: C. Approximately 50 percent
Explanation
Full-term newborns spend about half of their sleep time in active or REM sleep, reflecting the role of REM in early brain maturation, and premature infants show an even higher proportion. This share declines progressively through childhood to the adult value of 20 to 25 percent and falls further in old age. The other figures describe pathological reductions or intermediate ages.
Reference: Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14th ed.
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