Sleep Problems In Pregnancy Impact Glucose, Surge Risk Of Childhood Obesity

Research carried by Sarah Farabi, while she was a post-doctoral fellow studying with Dr. Teri Hernandez at the UC (University of Colorado) in 2018 discovered that mild sleep apnea altered sugar levels during pregnancy and was associated to infant development patterns concerned to surged peril of obesity. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The research engaged 18 women who did not have gestational diabetes and a BMI (body mass index) of 30–40 kg/m2 while being in their third trimester, making them at greater risk for sleep apnea. Around 12 of the 18 women were identified with sleep apnea. Farabi said, “They were quite surprised by the identification. Mostly not diagnosed, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) deteriorates over the span of pregnancy and is linked with poor perinatal results such as gestational diabetes and bigger babies.”
As reported to Farabi, “During this study, the more serious mother’s sleep apnea, the more possible she was to have greater blood sugar during the day and night. The data suggest that enhancing sleep habits, plus screening for sleep apnea and possibly treating sleep apnea might help in improving maternal-infant results in this greater-risk population.” Unlike other research, the glucose and sleep patterns were directly calculated utilizing personal monitoring devices rather than relying on self-report, producing the data very stronger.
Lately, the UC was in news as its study stated that expecting mothers can avoid fetal brain problems induced by the flu. Choline—which is an essential B vitamin nutrient—can help in preventing fetal brain developmental issues that mostly happen after prenatal maternal infections like flu (influenza) and colds. The study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics and was conducted by researchers of the UC. The results are important as viruses, like the flu, in pregnant women, have been associated with fetal brain issues and mental illness such as schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder later in life.