Oxidative stress markers in pregnant women who snore and fetal outcome: a case control study

Abstract

Background: To determine the levels of oxidative stress markers in pregnant women who snore and compare with non-snoring pregnant women. Fetal outcome of these 2 groups was also evaluated.

Materials and methods: Prospective, case control study. Some 40 pregnant women who snored and 43 non-snoring pregnant women were evaluated. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels of the 2 groups were studied. Infant birthweight, Apgar scores, and other indicators of fetal outcome were obtained.

Results: The mean level of GSH-Px was significantly lower in the pregnant women who snored (p=0.005), while the mean level of MDA was significantly higher in this group (p=0.005). Levels of MPO were comparable between the groups (p>0.05). The pregnant women who snored did not have infants with evidence of an increase in compromised outcome.

Conclusion: Although the pregnant women who snored had high levels of MDA, they did not appear to be at increased risk for delivering infants with fetal compromise.