Sleep is very important, especially for pregnant women.
New research shows that lack of sleep during pregnancy can have many negative effects, including delayed neurodevelopment in children.
The study, published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, investigated the effects of short sleep duration (SSD) (defined as less than seven hours of sleep each night) on pregnant women.
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China-based researchers analyzed sleep data for 7,059 mother-infant pairs from three hospitals in China. The children were tested for developmental delays from 6 months to 3 years of age.
Researchers have found that sleep deprivation during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of delayed nervous system development.
Studies have found that boys are at higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental problems compared to girls when their mothers experience SSD. (St. Petersburg)
“Our findings highlight the importance of addressing sleep quality during pregnancy to potentially reduce the risk of long-term cognitive and behavioral problems in children.” said study lead author Peng Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., of Anhui Medical University and MOE’s Population Health and Holistic Key Research Institute. Lifecycle in Hefei, China, told FOX News Digital.
“We also found that cord blood C-peptide levels partially mediated this association. This raises the possibility that maternal sleep influences fetal glucose metabolism and, in turn, child neurodevelopment. It shows that there is.
Study finds sleep deprivation puts children at risk
Neurodevelopmental delays can lead to delays in the development of social, emotional, behavioral, motor, cognitive, or language skills, new research has found.
Researchers found that boys are at greater risk of developing these problems than girls when their mothers experience SSD.
Sleep deprivation during pregnancy is also associated with other complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. (St. Petersburg)
“This suggests that male fetuses may be more sensitive to the metabolic environment, which is influenced by the mother’s sleep patterns,” Zhu said.
“This insight could lead to tailored interventions and a deeper understanding of how prenatal factors influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in a sex-specific manner.”
Experts recommend doing this activity before bed to improve your sleep
Pregnant women can experience sleep problems due to factors such as hormonal changes, discomfort, and frequent urination, the Endocrine Society noted in a press release.
Prenatal health is important for the health of both the pregnant woman and the fetus. (St. Petersburg)
Dr. Jillian Lopiano, a Miami-based obstetrician-gynecologist and chief health officer of reproductive telemedicine platform Wisp, said the study measured “the potential for biological markers” in neurological development. admitted that.
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“While more research is needed to evaluate this relationship, it is known that adequate sleep is associated with proper growth and socio-emotional development,” she told FOX News Digital. .
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Lopiano says sleep deprivation during pregnancy is also linked to other complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes.
“Adequate sleep is known to be associated with proper growth and social-emotional development.”
Experts advised pregnant women suffering from sleep disorders to consult a doctor.
She also shared some simple ways to help improve your sleep. This includes sleeping in a cool, dark room, minimizing screen time and distractions before bed, making sure you have enough time to relax, meditating, and using a supportive pillow.
Researchers once again emphasized the importance of sleep hygiene.
Experts say that pregnant women can experience sleep problems due to factors such as hormonal changes, discomfort, and frequent urination. (St. Petersburg)
“We advise pregnant women on strategies to improve their sleep hygiene, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime environment, and avoiding caffeine and electronic device use before bed. You need to take it,” Zhu told FOX News Digital.
The researchers also recommend that health care providers screen pregnant women’s sleep quality and provide guidance on achieving adequate sleep.
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“Additionally, monitoring and management of gestational diabetes related to sleep patterns should also be emphasized,” Zhu added.
The researchers acknowledged the study had potential limitations.
“As an observational study, we can only establish an association, not causation,” Zhu told FOX News Digital.
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“Additionally, sleep duration was self-reported, which may introduce some bias.”
Future studies using objective sleep measurements and larger sample sizes could help validate the results, the researchers added.
