Sleep disordered breathing in pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Sleep Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in pregnancy due to hormonal, physiological, and physical changes.
• Maternal obesity is a significant risk factor, potentially exacerbating SDB development during gestation.
• Existing screening tools for non-pregnant individuals show limited predictive value in pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of SDB during pregnancy.
• To explore the association between SDB and adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
• To discuss current and potential management strategies for SDB in pregnant individuals.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on sleep disordered breathing in pregnancy.
• Analysis of epidemiological data and risk factors.
• Exploration of biological pathways linking SDB to adverse outcomes.
• Evaluation of existing screening and management approaches.

Main Results:

• SDB severity increases as pregnancy progresses.
• Snoring, older maternal age, and high pre-pregnancy BMI are indicators for SDB.
• SDB in pregnancy is linked to increased risks of gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia, though further research adjusting for confounders is needed.

Conclusions:

• SDB is a common and evolving condition during pregnancy with potential adverse outcomes.
• Early identification using specific indicators like snoring is important.
• Pregnancy-specific guidelines for SDB screening and management are lacking, necessitating careful reassessment of affected women.