Influence of self-reported snoring and witnessed sleep apnea on gestational hypertension and fetal outcome in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy are associated with some sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) such as snoring and sleep apnea, and SRBD are associated with recurrent episodes of oxyhemoglobin desaturation and increased sympathic activity. We aimed to search the incidence of self-reported snoring and witnessed apnea in the third trimester of pregnancy and to analyze their influence on fetal outcome and gestational hypertension (GH).

Methods: Two hundred pregnant women (group 1) during their stay for labor and 200 age-matched control women (group 2) were included in the study. All patients were asked to complete a detailed questionnaire that covers demographic features. We measured neck circumference and performed Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) to determine excessive daytime sleepiness in all patients.

Results: The mean age was 27.4 ± 6.7 and 26.3 ± 5.8 for group 1 and 2, respectively. Habitual snoring was detected only in group 1 in 5 patients; 36 pregnant women and 7 control patients reported occasional snoring. Both habitual and occasional snoring was significantly observed to be increased in pregnancy. Witnessed sleep apnea was been observed only in 1 patient in group 1. The mean neck circumference was 37.4 ± 3.2, 35.1 ± 2.1 cm and ESS was 6.7 ± 3.01, 5.1 ± 2.1 for group 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between snoring and GH. There was no significant relationship between all investigated parameters and fetal outcome. We found that excessive weight gain during pregnancy is significantly associated with snoring.

Conclusion: We concluded that, although pregnant women, especially who gain excessive weight during their pregnancy, significantly snore more than nonpregnant women, this did not affect fetal outcome.