Associations between maternal chronotype and obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a narrative review
Biological Rhythm Research, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/09291016.2026.2700444
- Dergi Adı: Biological Rhythm Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Geobase, Psycinfo, SportDiscus, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Chronotype, circadian rhythm, infant, newborn, maternal health, pregnancy complications
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Maternal chronotype, reflecting individual circadian sleep-wake preferences, has gained attention for its potential impact on pregnancy outcomes. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly melatonin and cortisol, influence metabolic regulation and may affect obstetric processes and fetal development. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on maternal chronotype’s relationship to obstetric, metabolic, psychological, and neonatal outcomes, discussing implications for prenatal care. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, covering studies published between 2010 and 2026. Evening chronotype has been associated with adverse outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and postpartum depressive symptoms. Proposed mechanisms include altered glucose metabolism, circadian misalignment, and dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Maternal chronotype is also linked to sleep quality, psychological wellbeing, and neonatal parameters, though findings remain inconsistent, and must be distinguished from related constructs such as sleep quality and circadian disruption. Chronotype assessment may serve as an adjunctive tool for counselling and risk awareness in antenatal care. However, evidence is observational and heterogeneous, limiting causal inference; chronotype should not be treated as an independent predictor. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to clarify biological pathways and clinical significance. Overall, maternal chronotype represents a relevant, underrecognized factor deserving greater integration into perinatal practice.