The study found that insufficient sleep during pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental issues in children, which can affect their cognitive abilities, behavioral 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.
The researchers say this suggests that gender plays a “crucial” role in offspring’s response to prenatal environmental factors.
The findings also suggest that lack of sleep during pregnancy might affect the mother’s glucose metabolism, influencing fetal development.
The study also showed that there may be a positive correlation between C-peptide levels in umbilical cord blood and neurodevelopmental delays in offspring, indicating that a mother’s glucose metabolism during pregnancy may impact the insulin secretion of the fetus and, consequently, their neurodevelopment.
Dr. Zhu of Anhui Medical University in China added: “Prenatal health is important not only for the expectant mother but also for the long-term health of the unborn child.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
