Sleep Disorders in Pregnant Women and Their Impact on Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: A Narrative Review.

Background/

Objectives

Sleep breathing disorders (SBDs) comprise a range of conditions characterized by abnormal respiratory patterns during sleep, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common. During pregnancy, SBDs are of clinical relevance, as they are associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidity.

Methods

A structured literature search was conducted to identify relevant studies addressing sleep breathing disordered in pregnancy, including longitudinal, observational, case-control, and cross-sectional studies, as well as other reviews and meta-analyses.

Results

Adequate sleep during pregnancy is essential for maternal health and fetal development. OSA in pregnant women is strongly associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), potentially contributing to increased long-term cardiovascular risk. In addition to hypertensive complications, OSA has been linked to gestational diabetes and postpartum depression. Untreated SBDs may also have consequences beyond pregnancy, adversely affecting fetal and neonatal outcomes. Pathophysiological mechanisms related to maternal SBDs can result in fetal growth restriction, impaired neurocognitive development, and an increased risk of preterm birth.

Conclusions

Current evidence indicates that OSA during pregnancy is associated with elevated short- and long-term risks for both mothers and offspring. Future research should prioritize large prospective studies with standardized diagnostic criteria and outcomes, as well as pragmatic trials to assess the implementation of SBD screening in prenatal care, particularly among high-risk populations such as obese women.