Sleep‐disordered breathing and pregnancy outcomes: The impact of maternal oxygen saturation

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2024-01, Vol.164 (1), p.140-147
• Main Authors: Orabona, Rossana, Corda, Luciano, Giordani, Jordan, Bernardi, Matteo, Maggi, Claudia, Mazzoni, Giorgia, Pedroni, Leonardo, Uccelli, Silvia, Zatti, Sonia, Sartori, Enrico, Zanardini, Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Humans; Infant, Newborn; nocturnal pulse oximetry; obesity; Obesity - complications; obstructive sleep apnea‐hypopnea syndrome; Oximetry; Oxygen; Oxygen Saturation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - complications; Sleep Apnea Syndromes - diagnosis; sleep‐disorder screening questionnaires; sleep‐disordered breathing
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14967

Objective To investigate pathological associations between sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) and pregnancy outcomes. Methods From May 2016 to September 2019, obese women during their uncomplicated singleton pregnancies underwent screening sleep questionnaires, oxygen saturation monitoring, and, in proper cases, complete overnight polysomnography. Their medical records were also recorded. Results In all, 112 pregnant women were included in the study cohort; 44 showed an oxygen desaturation index ≥10, and their newborns had a significantly higher rate of congenital abnormalities and respiratory distress syndrome compared with the women with normal pulse oximetry. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that basal oxygen saturation was independently associated with the occurrence of fetal growth restriction. Conclusion Among obese pregnant women, the rate of congenital abnormalities is higher in the ones with altered pulse oximetry. Maternal basal oxygen saturation in the first trimester of pregnancy predicts fetal growth restriction independently of maternal age, ethnicity, body mass index, gravidity, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Synopsis The rate of congenital abnormalities is higher in patients with altered pulse oximetry. Maternal basal oxygen saturation in the first trimester predicts fetal growth restriction.