Sleep in Pregnancy and Maternal Hyperglycemia: a Narrative Review

Abstract

Purpose of review: Prevalence of gestational diabetes is increasing globally and sleep may be a modifiable lifestyle factor associated with it. However, existing findings have been inconsistent.

Recent findings: Majority of studies reviewed found a link between extreme sleep durations and elevated risk of maternal hyperglycemia. The findings with sleep-disordered breathing are less consistent. Methodological differences across studies, in terms of sleep assessment methods (subjective vs. objective), study population (low vs. high risk), classification of gestational diabetes and sleep problems, may have contributed to the inconsistent findings. Some studies also suggest the possibility of trimester-specific association between sleep and maternal hyperglycemia. Large-scale prospective studies comprising objective measurements of sleep, preferably over three trimesters and preconception, are needed to better evaluate the relationship between sleep and maternal hyperglycemia.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus; Pregnancy; Sleep duration; Sleep quality; Sleep-disordered breathing.