What percentage of sleep in the neonate at term is occupied by REM sleep?

Neonates typically spend around 50% of their sleep time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep at term. This high percentage of REM sleep is crucial for the developing brain. During this sleep phase, important processes such as brain development and memory formation occur, thus highlighting the significant role of REM sleep in infants.

As infants grow, the proportion of REM sleep tends to decrease, but at term, it is markedly higher compared to older children and adults who experience about 20-25% of their sleep in REM. The predominance of REM sleep in neonates underscores its role in neurological development during early life.