Effects of sleep modulation during pregnancy in the mother and offspring: Evidences from preclinical research.

Disturbed sleep during gestation may lead to adverse outcomes for both mother and child. Animal research plays an important role in providing insights into this research field by enabling ethical and methodological requirements that are not possible in humans. Here, we present an overview and discuss the main research findings related to the effects of prenatal sleep deprivation in animal models. Using systematic review approaches, we retrieved 42 articles dealing with some type of sleep alteration. The most frequent research topics in this context were maternal sleep deprivation, maternal behaviour, offspring behaviour, development of sleep-wake cycles in the offspring, hippocampal neurodevelopment, pregnancy viability, renal physiology, hypertension and metabolism. This overview indicates that the number of basic studies in this field is growing, and provides biological plausibility to suggest that sleep disturbances might be detrimental to both mother and offspring by promoting increased risk at the behavioural, hormonal, electrophysiological, metabolic and epigenetic levels. More studies on the effects of maternal sleep deprivation are needed, in light of their major translational perspective.

Maternal mental health modifies the association of food insecurity and early child development.

We examined the association between household food insecurity and early child development and whether or not maternal depression and anxiety modifies this association. The cross-sectional study included 468 mother-infant pairs recruited at primary health centers of the Federal District, Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire that evaluated early child development (outcome), household food insecurity (independent variable), maternal depression and trait anxiety (effect modifiers). Variables were collected with validated questionnaires for the Brazilian population. Pearson's χ2 test and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Infants who lived in a moderate or severe food insecure household had 2.52 times (95% confidence interval [CI] [1.13, 5.65]) the odds of having early child development delays compared with infants in secure households. Maternal depression and anxiety modified the strength of association between household food insecurity and early child development, which is an innovative finding. Among infants with depressed mothers, those experiencing mild (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.33, 95% CI [1.17, 9.46]) and moderate/severe household food insecurity (aOR 10.13, 95% CI [2.18, 47.10]) had higher odds of having early child development delays, compared with infants in food secure households. Among infants with both anxious and depressed mothers, these associations were even stronger for mild (aOR 4.69, 95% CI [1.41, 15.59]) and moderate/severe household food insecurity (aOR 16.07, 95% CI [2.70, 95.66]). In conclusion, household food insecurity is a risk factor for early child development delays, and this association is modified by maternal depression and anxiety. Future studies should evaluate the impact of intervention packages that address maternal depression and anxiety and household food insecurity on preventing early child development delays.

Characterisation and origins of melanin-concentrating hormone immunoreactive fibres of the posterior lobe of the pituitary and median eminence during lactation in the Long-Evans rat.

Although the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and its coding mRNA are predominantly found in the tuberal hypothalamus, there is detectable synthesis of MCH in the preoptic hypothalamus exclusively in lactating dams, suggesting a participation of MCH in the alterations that take place after parturition. Also implicated in the dam physiology is oxytocin, a neurohormone released from the posterior pituitary that is necessary for milk ejection. Because the projection fields from oxytocin-immunoreactive (-IR) neurones and the mediobasal preoptic hypothalamus overlap and MCH-IR neurones are found in proximity to oxytocin neurones, we investigated the spatial relationship between MCH and oxytocin fibres. Accordingly, we employed multiple immunohistochemistry labelling for MCH and oxytocin for light and electron microscopy techniques, in addition to i.v. tracer injection combined with in situ hybridisation to identify MCH neurones that project to neurosecretory areas. As described for other strains, lactating Long-Evans dams also display immunoreactivity for MCH in the preoptic hypothalamus on days 12 and 19 of lactation. The appearance of these neurones is contemporaneous with an increase in MCH-IR fibres in both the internal layer of the median eminence and the posterior pituitary. In both regions, MCH- and oxytocin-IR fibres were found in great proximity, although there was no evidence for synaptic interaction between these two populations at the ultrastructural level. The tracer injection revealed that only mediobasal preoptic MCH neurones project to the posterior pituitary, suggesting a neuroendocrine-modulatory role for this population. When taken together, the results obtained in the present study indicate that neuroplasticity events at the mediobasal preoptic hypothalamus that occur during late lactation may be part of a neuroendocrinology control loop involving both MCH and oxytocin.

Raising overlapping litters: Differential activation of rat maternal neural circuitry after interacting with newborn or juvenile pups.

The maternal behaviour of a rat dynamically changes during the postpartum period, adjusting to the characteristics and physiological needs of the pups. This adaptation has been attributed to functional modifications in the maternal circuitry. Maternal behaviour can also flexibly adapt according to different litter compositions. Thus, mothers with two overlapping litters can concurrently take care of neonate and juvenile pups, mostly directing their attention to the newborns. We hypothesised that the maternal circuitry of these mothers would show a differential activation pattern after interacting with pups depending on the developmental stage of their offspring. Thus, we evaluated the activation of several areas of the maternal circuitry in mothers of overlapping litters, using c-Fos immunoreactivity as a marker of neuronal activation, after interacting with newborns or juveniles. The results showed that mothers with overlapping litters display different behavioural responses towards their newborn and their juvenile pups. Interestingly, these behavioural displays co-occurred with specific patterns of activation of the maternal neural circuitry. Thus, a similar expression of c-Fos was observed in some key brain areas of mothers that interacted with newborns or juveniles, such as the medial preoptic area and the nucleus accumbens, whereas a differential activation was quantified in the ventral region of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the infralimbic and prelimbic subregions of the medial prefrontal cortex and the basolateral and medial nuclei of the amygdala. We posit that the specific profile of activation of the neural circuitry controlling maternal behaviour in mothers with overlapping litters enables dams to respond adequately to the newborn and the juvenile pups.

The use of educational video to promote maternal self-efficacy in preventing early childhood diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea is responsible for high rates of infant morbidity and mortality. It is multifactorial, manifested by socioeconomic, hygienic, and maternal factors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an educational video on maternal self-efficacy for the prevention of childhood diarrhoea. This was a randomized trial conducted in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Participants were 2 groups (comparison and intervention), composed of mothers of children under 5 years of age. Group membership was allocated by cluster randomization. Outcomes were maternal self-efficacy measured using the Maternal Self-efficacy Scale for Prevention of Early Childhood Diarrhoea; outcome data collectors were blinded to group allocation. Ninety participants were randomized to each group; 83 intervention group and 80 comparison group members were contained in the final analysis. Maternal self-efficacy in preventing childhood diarrhoea increased in both groups, but average scores of the intervention group were higher at all time than those of the comparison group. The educational video had a significant effect on maternal self-efficacy.

GABA Receptors in the Medial Preoptic Area Modulate the Onset of Oestradiol-Induced Maternal Behaviour in Hysterectomised-Ovariectomised, Pregnant Rats.

We studied the participation of GABA neurotransmission in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) with respect to the onset of the pup retrieval response and nest building. Pregnant female rats were implanted with bilateral cannulae in the mPOA on day 12 of pregnancy and, on day 16, the females were hysterectomised and ovariectomised and given 200 µg/kg of oestradiol benzoate. Two days later, the females received one of the following intracerebral drug treatments: GABAB agonist baclofen (200 ng); GABAB antagonist phaclofen (1 µg); GABAA antagonist bicuculline (60 ng); or physiological saline. Five minutes after intracerebral infusion, three foster pups were introduced into the females' home cage. The subjects were observed for pup grouping (retrieval) during 15 min, after which the pups were left with the female. During the next 12 h, an observation was made every 1 h to determine whether the pups had been grouped (retrieved) or not. The GABAB agonist baclofen reduced the proportion of females retrieving pups from 4 to 8 h following pup introduction. By contrast, both the GABAA antagonist bicuculline and the GABAB antagonist phaclofen enhanced the proportion of females retrieving pups during the first 3 h of observation. The latency to pup retrieval in subjects treated with the GABAB agonist baclofen was significantly longer than that in subjects given any of the antagonists. All females built a nest but baclofen reduced nest quality. These data show that activation of GABAB receptors in the mPOA has an inhibitory effect on basic maternal behaviours, whereas blockade of either the GABAA or GABAB receptor facilitates pup retrieval. It is possible that reduced GABAergic tone in the mPOA is a key element in the initiation of maternal behaviours in postparturient rats.

Maternal educational practices during the first year of life / Práticas educativas maternas no primeiro ano de vida

INTRODUCTION: The strategies used by parents in education and childcare play a major role in the child's development and health OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse the maternal educational practices during the first year of life METHODS: A total of 250 mothers of infants between 1-12 months participated in the study. The data was collected using the Parental Styles Inventory for Mothers of Babies (IEPMB RESULTS: Mothers used the positive parenting practice: Monitoring Positive. However negative practices were also present in the repertoire of the participants, especially Relaxed Discipline CONCLUSION: The negative practices were not common in the behavioural repertoire of the mothers, so this phase is an appropriate stage to promote preventative interventions aimed at improving the mother-infant relationship, and therefore impacting health prevention, health promotion and child development.(AU)

As estratégias utilizadas pelos pais na educação e cuidados dos filhos possuem uma função primordial no desenvolvimento e saúde infantil. A presente pesquisa pretendeu descrever e analisar as práticas educativas maternas no primeiro ano de vida. Participaram da pesquisa 250 mães com filhos no primeiro ano de vida, de um a 12 meses de idade, nas quais foi aplicado o Inventário de Estilos Parentais para Mães de Bebês. Os resultados revelaram que as mães utilizam-se com frequência da prática parental positiva Monitoria Positiva, no entanto as práticas negativas, também são presentes no repertório das participantes, principalmente a prática Disciplina Relaxada. Como a maioria das práticas negativas ainda não são freqüentes no repertório comportamental das mães, esta fase seria portanto, um ótimo momento para a realização de intervenções preventivas que visem aprimorar o relacionamento mãe-criança, e consequentemente atuar na prevenção e promoção da saúde e do desenvolvimento.(AU)

Práticas educativas maternas no primeiro ano de vida / Maternal educational practices during the first year of life

The strategies used by parents in education and childcare play a major role in the child's development and health OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyse the maternal educational practices during the first year of life METHODS: A total of 250 mothers of infants between 1-12 months participated in the study. The data was collected using the Parental Styles Inventory for Mothers of Babies (IEPMB RESULTS: Mothers used the positive parenting practice: Monitoring Positive. However negative practices were also present in the repertoire of the participants, especially Relaxed Discipline CONCLUSION: The negative practices were not common in the behavioural repertoire of the mothers, so this phase is an appropriate stage to promote preventative interventions aimed at improving the mother-infant relationship, and therefore impacting health prevention, health promotion and child development...

As estratégias utilizadas pelos pais na educação e cuidados dos filhos possuem uma função primordial no desenvolvimento e saúde infantil. A presente pesquisa pretendeu descrever e analisar as práticas educativas maternas no primeiro ano de vida. Participaram da pesquisa 250 mães com filhos no primeiro ano de vida, de um a 12 meses de idade, nas quais foi aplicado o Inventário de Estilos Parentais para Mães de Bebês. Os resultados revelaram que as mães utilizam-se com frequência da prática parental positiva Monitoria Positiva, no entanto as práticas negativas, também são presentes no repertório das participantes, principalmente a prática Disciplina Relaxada. Como a maioria das práticas negativas ainda não são freqüentes no repertório comportamental das mães, esta fase seria portanto, um ótimo momento para a realização de intervenções preventivas que visem aprimorar o relacionamento mãe-criança, e consequentemente atuar na prevenção e promoção da saúde e do desenvolvimento...

Comportamiento maternal de Arctocephalus Australis, en Isla de Lobos - Uruguay / Maternal behavior of Arctocephalus Australis, in Isla de Lobos - Uruguay

Comportamiento maternal de Arctocephalus australis, En los mamíferos, generalmente las hembras realizan el cuidado de la progenie repartiendo su inversión entre las crías presentes y futuras, maximizando la relación costo-beneficio. La variación en los comportamientos del cuidado maternal puede afectar en forma diferencial la supervivencia de las crías. A. australis se presenta como un interesante modelo para evaluar la incidencia de los diferentes componentes del cuidado maternal en la supervivencia del cachorro e investigar la ocurrencia de variación mensual y diaria de los comportamientos madre-cría. Diariamente se registró la presencia de hembras marcadas en la colonia mediante muestreos focales y de barrido. La frecuencia de los estados y eventos comportamentales variaron entre los meses de muestreo. Los viajes de alimentación de las madres exhibieron una duración muy variable, y el patrón de viajes-asistencia así como la permanencia de la madre con su cría incidieron en la supervivencia de los cachorros. Los resultados se discuten enmarcados en diferentes hipótesis(AU)

In mammals, paternal care is usually performed by females, dividing their investment between present and future offspring and maximizing the cost-benefit relationship. Variation in maternal care behaviour can affect pups’ survival differentially. A. australis is an interest model to assess the incidence of different components of maternal care behaviour on pups’ survival, as well as the monthly and daily variation in mother-calf behaviour. The presence of marked females at the rookery was recorded using focal and scanning sampling methods. State and event frequencies changed between months. Feeding trips had highly variable duration and the survival was strongly affected by the foraging cycle strategy used and the mother-pup contact recorded. The results are discussed in the frame of different hypotheses(AU)

Comportamiento maternal de Arctocephalus Australis, en Isla de Lobos - Uruguay / Maternal behavior of Arctocephalus Australis, in Isla de Lobos - Uruguay

Comportamiento maternal de Arctocephalus australis, En los mamíferos, generalmente las hembras realizan el cuidado de la progenie repartiendo su inversión entre las crías presentes y futuras, maximizando la relación costo-beneficio. La variación en los comportamientos del cuidado maternal puede afectar en forma diferencial la supervivencia de las crías. A. australis se presenta como un interesante modelo para evaluar la incidencia de los diferentes componentes del cuidado maternal en la supervivencia del cachorro e investigar la ocurrencia de variación mensual y diaria de los comportamientos madre-cría. Diariamente se registró la presencia de hembras marcadas en la colonia mediante muestreos focales y de barrido. La frecuencia de los estados y eventos comportamentales variaron entre los meses de muestreo. Los viajes de alimentación de las madres exhibieron una duración muy variable, y el patrón de viajes-asistencia así como la permanencia de la madre con su cría incidieron en la supervivencia de los cachorros. Los resultados se discuten enmarcados en diferentes hipótesis

In mammals, paternal care is usually performed by females, dividing their investment between present and future offspring and maximizing the cost-benefit relationship. Variation in maternal care behaviour can affect pups’ survival differentially. A. australis is an interest model to assess the incidence of different components of maternal care behaviour on pups’ survival, as well as the monthly and daily variation in mother-calf behaviour. The presence of marked females at the rookery was recorded using focal and scanning sampling methods. State and event frequencies changed between months. Feeding trips had highly variable duration and the survival was strongly affected by the foraging cycle strategy used and the mother-pup contact recorded. The results are discussed in the frame of different hypotheses

Atendimento odontológico da criança: percepção materna / The child's dental treatment: maternal perception

Objetivos: Verificar a percepção e comportamento materno sobre atendimento odontológico de crianças, bem como analisar a opinião das mães sobre a necessidade da sua presença na sala de atendimento clínico e aceitação em relação às técnicas de manejo comportamental. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 100 mães cujos filhos, na faixa etária de 3 a 12 anos, foram inseridos no Programa de Saúde da Família da Vila Lacasa na cidade de Cachoeirinha, Pernambuco, no período de novembro a dezembro de 2006. Os dados foram coletados a partir de formulários validados pelo método face a face, sendo realizada uma análise descritiva dos dados. Resultados: Verificou-se que uma parcela significativa de mães não tem medo do atendimento odontológico (68%) e exercem forte influência na opinião e comportamento dos filhos. A principal causa do medo das mães foi a dor (45,8%). Independentemente do nível de escolaridade, a maioria das mães prefere estar presente na sala de atendimento (85%), pois elas acreditam que melhoram o comportamento da criança (64%). O principal motivo que levou a mãe a procurar o serviço odontológico para seu filho foi a prevenção de cáries (51%), seguida da dor (29%). As mães não mostraram restrição quanto à utilização das técnicas de manejo comportamental (73%). Conclusão: As mães entrevistadas apresentaram forte influência no comportamento dos filhos e independente do nível de escolaridade, a maioria das mães prefere estar presente na sala de atendimento clínico, aceitando as técnicas de manejo, desde que devidamente informadas.

Objectives: To verify the maternal perception of and behavior towards children's dental treatment, as well as to analyze the opinion of the mothers on the need of their presence in the clinical attendance room and acceptance with regard to the techniques of behavioral management.Methods: The study involved interviews with 100 mothers whose children between 3 and 12 years old, had been in the Family Health Program of Vila Lacasa, in the city of Cachoeirinha, Pernambuco, Brazil, in the period from November to December of 2006. Data were collected from forms validated by the face-to-face method, and a descriptive analysis of the data was performed. The mothers were divided into groups considering the number of years of schooling and social-economic level. Results: It was verified that a significant number of the mothers were not afraid of dental treatment (68%), exerting a strong influence on the children's opinion and behavior.The main causes of fear in the mothers was pain (45.8%). Irrespective of the educational level, the majority of the mothers preferred to be present in the attendance room (85%), since they believed their presence improved the child's behavior (64%). The main reason why the mother sought dental treatment for her child was the prevention of caries (51%), followed by pain (29%). Conclusion: The interviewed mothers were shown to have a strong influence on the behaviour of the children and irrespective of their educational level most mothers preferred to be present in the attendance room, accepting the management techniques, provided that they were adequately informed.

Algunas consideraciones relacionadas con el conocimiento del programa maternidad y paternidad consciente / Some considerations related with the knowledge of the program maternity and conscious paternity

Se realizó un estudio analítico de tipo ensayo comunitario con el fin de evaluar el conocimiento que sobre el Programa Maternidad y Paternidad Consciente existía en un grupo de mujeres en edad fértil, entrevistadas durante el año 1997. De un universo de 883, se escogió una muestra de 150 que se hallaban embarazadas, procedentes de 20 consultorios médicos de la familia, distribuidos equitativamente, de los Policlínicos Docentes Comunitarios"28 de Septiembre" y "Municipal" de Santiago de Cuba, en las que se aplicó una encuesta que contemplaba distintas variables de interés. Entre los resultados más relevantes figura que más de la mitad de las embarazadas refirió no tener conocimientos acerca del Programa, porque lo conocen por el nombre tradicional de sicoprofilaxis del parto, cuando no es más que la fusión de ésta con algunos elementos nuevos; de ahí la importancia que tiene familiarizar a la población con dicho programa en su nueva forma de maternidad y paternidad consciente(AU)

A community test-type analytical study was performed to evaluate knowledge of a group of women at fertile age, who had been interviewed during 1997, on the Conscious Motherhood and Fatherhood Program. Of 883 women, 150 pregnant women were chosen, who came from 20 family physician offices of Community Teaching Polyclinics "28 de Septiembre" and "Municiapal" in Santiago de Cuba province. The survey applied had different variables of interest. One of the most relevant results was that over half of pregnant women stated that they did not know anything about this Program because they knew it under the traditional name of Psychoprophylaxis of Delivery. The new program is just the fusion of the former with some new elements, so it is important to familiarize the population with this program in its new form as Conscious Motherhood and Fatherhood Program(AU)