Insufficient Sleep During Pregnancy Linked to Child Neurodevelopmental Delays

New study finds nearly 40% of pregnant women experience short sleep duration, increasing the risk of developmental issues in children, particularly boys.

Research involving over 7,000 mother-child pairs shows a significant link between maternal sleep duration and child neurodevelopmental delays.
Children of mothers who sleep less than seven hours a night are more likely to have delayed social, emotional, behavioral, motor, cognitive, and speech skills.
Boys are particularly vulnerable to neurodevelopmental delays when their mothers experience short sleep duration during pregnancy.
Poor sleep in pregnant women is associated with impaired glucose metabolism, which may affect fetal insulin levels and development.
The study underscores the importance of managing sleep health during pregnancy to potentially reduce developmental risks in children.