Circadian Rhythms, Immune Regulation and the Risk for Sepsis: Implications for Neonatal Care

Circadian rhythms provide an anticipatory mechanism for organisms to adapt to environmental changes. Host response to infections is under robust circadian control. Most of the existing literature focuses on adults in epidemiological and animal studies. Neonatal and early infancy represent critical windows in the consolidation of circadian rhythms. This review summarizes our understanding of the molecular clock, especially its relevance to immunity and adult sepsis. Further, using our knowledge of circadian biology in caring for a newborn host with emerging circadian rhythms represents a unique challenge and an opportunity for improving our approach and outcomes in neonatal sepsis.