Poor sleep quality could be affecting the birth outcomes for many pregnant women, especially if suffering from depression. A study conducted by the University of Pittsburg School of Medicine found that less sleep in pregnant women caused a disruption in their immune systems, especially in women with depression. These fluctuations of the immune system could result health risks for the fetus, including preterm birth.
It’s actually the cytokines, which are normally a part of the natural immune process, in excessive amounts that destroy healthy cells and tissue in pregnant women, hindering the women’s ability to ward off disease. It can also cause vascular disease, lead to depression and result in preterm births.
Pregnant women that were depressed and not getting quality sleep had even higher levels of cytokines than pregnant women who were just depressed.
“Although speculative, disturbed sleep may disrupt normal immune processes and contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Exploratory analysis indicate that depression modifies these relationships,” wrote the University of Pittsburg researchers.
The study researchers also expressed the importance of classifying sleep problems early in a woman’s pregnancy, especially for women prone to depression. “The earlier that sleep problems are identified, the sooner physicians can work with pregnant women to implement solutions,” said researcher Michele Okun, PhD.
Comments are closed.