Exploring the Effects of Sleeping Behaviors and Restless Leg Syndrome on Fetal Growth

Oregon Convention Center 

Despite the plausible mechanisms, how gestational sleep behaviors and the development of sleep disorders influence fetal growth trajectory has not been fully explored. Analyzing the prospective cohort data from the multicenter NICHD Fetal Growth Studies - Singletons (2009-2013), the study included 2,458 pregnant women recruited between 8-13 gestational weeks and followed up to five times during pregnancy. The trajectory of estimated fetal weight (EFW) from 10 – 41 weeks of gestation was derived from three ultrasonographic measures. Linear mixed effect models were applied to model the EFW in relation to self-reported sleep and RLS exposures, adjusting for age, race and ethnicity, education, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index category, infant sex, and prepregnancy sleep-napping behavior. From enrollment to near delivery, pregnant women's sleep duration and nap frequency declined and RLS symptoms frequency increased generally. No significant differences were observed by sleep-napping group or by RLS status between 10 – 41 weeks. Since week 30, small, but statistically insignificant, divergence in the mean EFW was observed by sleep-napping groups. However, our data do not support an association between gestational sleep behaviors and RLS symptoms and fetal growth between 10-41 weeks of gestation in healthy pregnant women.

time-varying exposures

linear mixed effect models

estimated fetal weight

restless keg syndrome

gestational sleep

cohort study 

Biopharmaceutical Section