Perinatal development of day-night rhythms in humans.
Evidence suggests that the suprachiasmatic nuclei function as a circadian pacemaker in humans. The development of the circadian timing systems may be similar to that described in rodents and nonhuman primates. Awareness of circadian rhythmicity during development should improve infant care and increase the understanding of several disease states.
Rivkees
S A
SA
Laboratory of Developmental Chronobiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Reppert
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology