Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
07:54
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Sleep-disordered breathing: a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes?
Francesca L Facco1, Cici S Liu, Andrea A Cabello
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. f-facco@md.northwestern.edu
American Journal of Perinatology
|November 23, 2011
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Moderate to severe SDB significantly increases APO risk, particularly in obese women, though independence from obesity requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health
Background:
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in nonpregnant individuals.
- Limited research exists on the association between SDB and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 143 women with both polysomnography (PSG) and delivery records.
- SDB categorized by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): absence (<5), mild (5-14.9), and moderate-to-severe (≥15).
- APO defined as a composite of pregnancy-related hypertension, gestational diabetes, or preterm birth (≤34 weeks).
Main Results:
- A significant association was found between increasing SDB severity and higher rates of APO (18.1% for AHI <5, 23.5% for AHI 5-14.9, 38.5% for AHI ≥15; p=0.038).
- Obese women (BMI ≥30) with moderate-to-severe SDB exhibited the highest APO rate (41.7%).
Conclusions:
- Sleep-disordered breathing, particularly moderate to severe forms, appears associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- Further research is needed to determine if SDB is an independent risk factor for APO, separate from obesity.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
01:05Breathing
The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
There are numerous types of normal and abnormal respiration. Based on ventilatory movements, breathing patterns are classified as regular, deep, or shallow. Examples include Biot's breathing, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, Kussmaul's breathing, hyperventilation, and hypoventilation. Each pattern is clinically significant and aids in evaluating patients.
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...
01:26Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Assessing the respiratory rate and rhythm for a complete minute is crucial for evaluating the breathing pattern. Even a minor increase in the patient's average respiratory rate, by as little as three to five breaths per minute, is an early and vital indicator of respiratory distress. Patients with a respiratory rate exceeding twenty-four breaths per minute require close monitoring to determine the physiological alterations. This careful observation is essential for prompt recognition and...
01:17Other Pulmonary Disorders
Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
01:29Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement: