Hospital patients are generally exposed to an environment immersed in noise, frequent and irregular interruptions, and atypical light cycles. These conditions preclude healthy sleep patterns and robust 24-h rhythms. Research suggests that this negatively impacts patient health and can slow down recovery. Studies on preterm infants revealed that light conditions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) exert short-term health effects (e.g. faster weight gain and recovery, shorter hospitalization), with cycling light favorable over constant light or (near) dark conditions.

Preterm infants  experience a shorter period of circadian entrainment in-utero, and miss important parts of postnatal maternal regulation. Moreover, nutritional practices are altered: breast milk is expressed by the mothers and later given to the infant via nasogastric tubes. Evolutionary, nutritional, hormonal, and immunological factors in breast milk are likely adapted to the infant’s specific needs during day and night. By establishing the relation between the maternal circadian rhythm and the composition of important breast milk components, we may tackle one of the factors disturbing the development of the infant’s circadian system, with potential lifelong health effects. The ultimate goal is to improve feeding timing and composition in the neonatal care unit and analyze the effects on short- and long-term growth, sleep, neuro development and circadian development.

More information:

• https://bioclockconsortium.org/onderzoekers/dr-ines-chaves/