Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hypertension (HTN) after delivery, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Francesca Facco, MD, and colleagues examined whether SDB in pregnancy and/or after delivery is associated with HTN and MetS among 1,964 participants who underwent SDB assessment during their first pregnancy and 1,222 who underwent repeat SDB assessment at 2-7 years after pregnancy. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater or equal to 5 and oxygen desaturation index (ODI) greater or equal to 5 were used to define SDB in pregnancy. Given the AHI cutoff used, the adjusted risk ratio (aRR) was 1.44 for MetS, but no association with HTN was observed. Increased risks for HTN and MetS were observed in association with the ODI cutoff (aRRs, 2.02 and 1.53, respectively). Higher risks for both HTN and MetS were seen for participants meeting the AHI cutoff in pregnancy and persisting after delivery (aRRs, 3.77 and 2.46, respectively).
