Pregnant women who sleep less than seven hours a night may be harming their unborn baby, new research has warned. Mums-to-be who don’t get enough shut-eye are more likely to have children with developmental delays – with boys at particular risk, according to scientists.
The boffins from Anhui Medical University, China, who carried out the research explained that short sleep duration, or SSD, is defined as sleeping less than seven hours per night. Pregnant women may have trouble sleeping due to several factors, including hormonal changes, discomfort, and a frequent need to go to the toilet.
Around four out of 10 pregnant women experience SSD, suggests previous research. And the scientists say those women may have a higher risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and gestational diabetes – and their children may be at higher risk of experiencing neurodevelopmental delays.
The children are slower to develop their social, emotional, behavioural, motor, cognitive, or speech skills, according to the new research. Study lead author Doctor Peng Zhu said: “This study highlights the necessity of managing sleep health during pregnancy.
“By shedding light on the connection between maternal sleep during pregnancy and children’s neurodevelopment, our study empowers families with knowledge that can shape healthier pregnancy habits and contribute to the well-being of the next generation. Improving sleep habits during pregnancy may prevent or reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental issues in children.”
The researchers analysed sleep data from more than 7,000 mother-child pairs from three different hospitals in China. The team screened the children for developmental delays from six months to three years old and examined the link between maternal sleep duration and neurodevelopmental delay risk.
They also evaluated the role of cord blood serum C-peptide levels, which are a stable indicator of foetal insulin secretion. The study found that insufficient sleep during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental issues in children – affecting their cognitive abilities, behavioural development, and learning capabilities.
Boys appear to be at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental delays when their mothers experience SSD during pregnancy, according to the findings published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, That suggests gender plays a “crucial” role in offspring response to prenatal environmental factors, say the researchers.
The findings also suggest that lack of sleep during pregnancy might affect the mother’s glucose metabolism, thereby influencing the foetal development environment. Furthermore, the study found that there may be a positive correlation between C-peptide levels in umbilical cord blood and neurodevelopmental delays in offspring.
This indicates that a mother’s glucose metabolism during pregnancy may impact the insulin secretion of the foetus and, consequently, their neurodevelopment. Dr Zhu, of Anhui Medical University, China, added: “Prenatal health is important not only for the expectant mother but also for the long-term health of the unborn child.”
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