Background@#
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely related to
maternal obesity in
pregnant women, and the
association increases with later
pregnancy.
Obesity and OSA are
risk factors of
pregnancy-related
complications, including
gestational hypertension,
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and fetal
morbidities. We aimed to determine the
prevalence of OSA and to assess the impact of OSA on
pregnancy-related disorders in
overweight pregnant women. @*
Methods@#Eligible participants
who were
overweight [
body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 kg/m 2 ] in
gestational age 30 weeks or more, assessed OSA using a portable
polysomnography at home.Clinical data were collected from
pregnant women and their babies. @*Results@#The average age of 51 participants was 34.5 years (27–44 years). The number of primipara was 25 (49%) and that of multipara was 26 (51%). Eight cases of GDM (15.7%) and five cases of
preeclampsia (9.8%) were reported, and six
patients (11.8%) experienced preterm delivery. In results of
polysomnography, 14
patients (27.5%) were diagnosed as OSA.
Apnea-hypopnea index moderately correlated with BMI (r = 0.515, P < 0.001). The BMI (P < 0.005) and
preeclampsia rate (P < 0.017) were higher in the OSA group compared to the
control group.
Odds ratios (ORs) adjusting age, BMI,
parity, and
abortion history were calculated. The presence of OSA increased OR of
preeclampsia (OR, 13.1; 95%
confidence interval, 1.1–171.3). The majority of
preeclampsia patients (4/5, 80%) underwent preterm delivery. @*Conclusion@#OSA is an important
risk factor for
preeclampsia, resulting in preterm delivery.For
overweight pregnant women, an OSA evaluation should be mandatory.