Development of the circadian system and relevance of periodic signals for neonatal development.

Circadian rhythms are generated endogenously with a period of approximately 24h. Studies carried out during the last decade indicate that the circadian system develops before birth, and that the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a structure that is considered the mammalian circadian clock, is present in primates from the middle of pregnancy. Recent evidence shows that the infants' circadian system is sensitive to light from very early stages of development; it has also been proposed that low-intensity lighting can regulate the developing clock. After birth there is a progressive maturation of the outputs of the circadian system with marked rhythms in sleep-wake phenomena and hormone secretion. These facts express the importance of circadian photic regulation in infants. Thus, the exposure of premature babies to light/dark cycles results in a rapid establishment of activity/rest patterns, which are in the light-dark cycle. With the continuous study of the development of the circadian system and the influence on human physiology and disease, it is anticipated that the application of circadian biology will become an increasingly important component in the perinatal care.