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The Development of Circadian Rhythms in Human Infants

The Development of Circadian Rhythms in Human Infants

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<strong>The</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g questions are to be addressed <strong>in</strong> this thesis.<br />

� What is the pattern <strong>of</strong> physiological development <strong>in</strong> human <strong>in</strong>fants <strong>in</strong><br />

overnight core body temperature dur<strong>in</strong>g sleep dur<strong>in</strong>g the first four postnatal<br />

months and what is the nature <strong>of</strong> the change (gradual versus abrupt)?<br />

� Is there a pattern <strong>of</strong> change <strong>of</strong> cortisol secretion <strong>in</strong> human <strong>in</strong>fants <strong>in</strong> the early<br />

postnatal period and how does it relate to maturation <strong>of</strong> body temperature?<br />

� Is there a pattern <strong>in</strong> the secretion <strong>of</strong> melaton<strong>in</strong> with <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> postnatal age<br />

and how does it relate to physiological maturation state <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> core body<br />

temperature?<br />

� What are the characteristics changes <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>fant night time sleep as babies get<br />

older and is there any relationship with physiological development us<strong>in</strong>g<br />

overnight core body temperature as a marker <strong>of</strong> maturity?<br />

� What if any are the factors which have an effect on the development <strong>of</strong> core<br />

body temperature maturation, secretion <strong>of</strong> cortisol and melaton<strong>in</strong> and the<br />

development <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>fant sleep?<br />

� Is there any suggestion <strong>of</strong> order<strong>in</strong>g/tim<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> physiological events <strong>in</strong> human<br />

<strong>in</strong>fants <strong>in</strong> the first four postnatal months?<br />

� Can the genetic output <strong>of</strong> the clock be detected and measured <strong>in</strong> human <strong>in</strong>fants<br />

from buccal swabs and are there any longitud<strong>in</strong>al changes with age?<br />

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