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Review
. 2024 May 7;16(3):522-532.
doi: 10.3390/neurolint16030039.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Maternal and Fetal Implications

Antonino Maniaci  1 , Luigi La Via  2 , Basilio Pecorino  1 , Benito Chiofalo  1 , Giuseppe Scibilia  3 , Salvatore Lavalle  1 , Paolo Scollo  1
Affiliations
Review

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Maternal and Fetal Implications

Antonino Maniaci et al. Neurol Int. .

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent yet underdiagnosed condition in pregnancy, associated with various maternal and fetal complications. This review synthesizes the current evidence on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and neurological consequences of OSA in pregnancy, along with the potential management strategies. Articles were sourced from the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases until 2023. Our comprehensive review highlights that the incidence of OSA increases during pregnancy due to physiological changes such as weight gain and hormonal fluctuations. OSA in pregnancy is linked with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and potential adverse fetal outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy remains the most effective management strategy for pregnant women with OSA. However, adherence to CPAP therapy is often suboptimal. This comprehensive review underscores the importance of the early recognition, timely diagnosis, and effective management of OSA in pregnancy to improve both maternal and fetal outcomes. Future research should focus on enhancing screening strategies and improving adherence to CPAP therapy in this population.

Keywords: continuous positive airway pressure; gestational hypertension; obstructive sleep apnea; pregnancy outcomes; prenatal health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to fetal outcomes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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