The circadian rhythm and sleep disorders in pregnant women

Abstract

The circadian rhythm is an endogenous process that has a periodicity of approximately 24 hours and stimulates the anticipation of repeated and regular events that occur daily, enabling the regulation of most major physiological systems in humans and animals. Thus, studies have shown that disruption of circadian rhythm and sleep is a frequent cause of a series of pathologies for the general population, including pregnant women and their fetus. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the relationship between circadian rhythm and sleep disorders in pregnant women and the influence on the development of the fetus, as well as the future developing adult. Pregnancy is a critical period in which the systems of organs of a new human body are developing, and any disturbance in the environment in which the fetus grows can lead to developmental disorders that alter the metabolic and physiological functions of the fetus. Thus, maintaining an undisturbed circadian rhythm, including during pregnancy, protects the health of both the mother and the child, reducing the susceptibility to the development of certain postnatal diseases later in life.