What question did this study set out to answer?

To estimate the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women using respiratory polygraphy.

May 10, 2026

0517 Assessment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in High-risk Pregnancies at Instituto Nacional Materno Perinatal in Peru

Key Points

To estimate the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women using respiratory polygraphy.
Cross-sectional study including overweight pregnant women ≥18 years with high-risk pregnancy profiles.
Participants underwent overnight respiratory polygraphy using the ApneaLink Air™ system.
Data collected included demographic information, clinical variables, ESS scores, and OSA-related symptoms.
13 pregnant patients were evaluated, with a mean Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 3.12 ± 1.61.
23% of participants were diagnosed with mild OSA, and 38% showed excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS > 10).
Preeclampsia occurred in 7.7% and gestational diabetes in 38.5% of the participants.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is frequently underdiagnosed during pregnancy, and published data remain scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Early identification of OSA using accessible sleep study modalities may improve maternal outcomes in resource-limited settings such as Peru. The main objective of this study was to estimate the frequency of OSA among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women using respiratory polygraphy (RP; Type III sleep study) Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study including overweight pregnant women ≥18 years with a high-risk pregnancy profile. All enrolled participants underwent overnight RP using the ApneaLink Air™ system. Collected data included demographic and clinical variables, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, and OSA-related symptoms. Results A total of 13 pregnant patients were evaluated. The Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) had a mean value of 3.12 ± 1.61, while the number of hypopneas averaged 20.6 ± 11.6. The Oxygen Desaturation Index (DOI) showed a mean of 5.7 ± 3.08, and three patients (23%) were diagnosed with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Additionally, 1 patient (7.7%) had preeclampsia, and 5 patients (38.5%) had gestational diabetes. The average maternal age was 35 ± 3.63 years, and the mean gestational age was 33.4 ± 3.97 weeks. Participants had a mean height of 154 ± 5.42 cm, and the mean BMI was 35.3 ± 2.93, consistent with class II obesity. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score was 8.77 ± 4.76, with 5 of 13 patients (38%) demonstrating excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS 10), while the remainder reported normal daytime alertness. Conclusion This ongoing study provides early evidence of a burden of OSA among high-risk pregnant women in a middle-income setting. Continued enrollment and analysis will help clarify the clinical significance of OSA in this population and guide the development of feasible screening strategies Support (if any)

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Cite This Study

Lavanda et al. (Fri,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0020eac8f74e3340f9bcb5 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsag091.0516

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