ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MATERNAL SLEEP DURATION DURING PREGNANCY AND INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN INFANTS

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Previous research has shown the effects of short/long sleep and their relationship to inflammatory markers. This study examines relationships between maternal sleep patterns in the first and third trimesters and infant cytokine levels (IL-10/CRP). CRP and IL-10 were chosen because they lack circadian variation. METHODS: The APrON study conducted in Canada of 115 women and their infants was assessed. Maternal sleep was measured via actigraphy for 48 hours in trimesters one and three. Infant inflammatory markers were obtained via venipuncture in the forearm. RESULTS: Only long sleep during the first trimester was found to be associated with lower levels of infant IL-10. CRP levels were not associated with maternal sleep. Increasing sleep time by at least 30 minutes from trimester 1 to 3 was found to increase infant IL-10 levels. CONCLUSION: There exists a relationship between maternal sleep and IL-10 in infants. Further studies should demonstrate replicability and assess the possible mechanisms linking long sleep in the 1st trimester and decreased IL-10, as well as the mechanisms linking change in sleep duration on IL-10. Actigraphy and sleep diaries should be utilized for a longer duration and to analyze differences in measured and self-reported sleep duration and quality.