Poor sleep affects health in many ways, increasing the risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. A recent study suggests that sleep deprivation during pregnancy is associated with neurodevelopmental delays in children.
this studyResearch published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism examined the association between short sleep duration during pregnancy (ie, less than seven hours of sleep per day) and neurodevelopmental delays in offspring.
During the study, researchers followed 7,059 mother-child pairs in Hefei, China, and collected participants' sleep data from weeks 24 to 28 and 32 to 36 of pregnancy through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
The research team screened children aged 6 months to 3 years for developmental delays and analyzed the relationship between maternal sleep duration and risk of neurodevelopmental delays. They also evaluated the role of C-peptide levels in cord blood, a stable indicator of fetal insulin secretion.
“Insufficient sleep during pregnancy may increase the risk of neurodevelopmental problems in children, affecting their cognitive abilities, behavioral development, and learning abilities,” the researchers wrote in a report. Press release.
Another interesting finding showed that boys were at higher risk than girls for neurodevelopmental delays when their mothers slept shorter periods of time during pregnancy.
Researchers have proposed a possible explanation for developmental delays caused by short sleep duration during pregnancy. They suggest that sleep deprivation may adversely affect maternal glucose metabolism, which in turn affects fetal insulin secretion (as indicated by C-peptide levels) and, in turn, fetal neurodevelopment.
“This study highlights the need to manage sleep health during pregnancy. By revealing the link between maternal sleep during pregnancy and child neurodevelopment, our study empowers families with the knowledge to develop healthier pregnancy habits , and contribute to the well-being of the next generation.
“Prenatal health is important not only for expectant mothers, but also for the long-term health of the unborn child,” Zhu said.