A new study from Anhui Medical University reveals alarming links between short sleep duration during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental delays in offspring, particularly among boys.
In a report published on Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers tracked over 7,000 mother-child pairs, uncovering that women who experienced persistent short sleep during mid-pregnancy faced a 2.16 times increased risk of developmental issues in their sons.
“Our findings suggest that inadequate sleep may significantly impact a child’s developmental trajectory,” said lead researcher Lei Zhang.
Using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and robust developmental screening tests, the study highlighted that higher levels of cord blood C-peptide, a marker of glucose metabolism, could partially mediate these risks. “Maternal glucose metabolism dysfunction during pregnancy could potentially be associated with short sleep duration and contribute to neurodevelopmental delays in offspring,” Zhang explained.
“This research underscores the importance of maternal well-being during pregnancy,” co-author Dao-min Zhu stated. “Protecting a mother’s sleep is not just a personal health issue; it’s crucial for her child’s future development.”
