Frequency of sleep breathing disorders and some related factors in pregnant women referred to delivery ward of Alborz social security hospital of Karaj in 2009

Physiologic and hormonal changes during pregnancy increase risk of occurrence and severity of sleep breathing disorders in pregnant women. This study was performed with the aim to determine the frequency of sleep breathing disorders and some related factors in pregnant women referred to delivery ward of Alborz social security hospital of Karaj. This cross-sectional، descriptive study was performed on 200 pregnant women referred to the delivery ward of Alborz social security hospital of Karaj in 2009. Background information and Stop Bang questionnaire (for sleep breathing disorders screening) were evaluated through interviews، and information related to neonatal weight and Apgar score were evaluatedfrom medical records، and anthropometric indices of pregnant women were measured with balance scale and tap meter. The data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 18) and Chi-square and Fisher''s Exact tests. P< 0. 05 was considered significant. 91 cases (54. 5%) of pregnant women had habitual snoring، 114 (57%) daily sleepiness and fatigue، 43 (21. 5%) sleep apnea، 14 (7%) hypertension، 6 (3%) body mass index > 35 kg/m²، and 20 (10%) neck circumference > 40 cm. 29 cases (14. 5%) were at high risk for sleep breathing disorders. Statistical significant relationship was found between sleep breathing disorders in pregnant women and increased neck circumference، systolic and diastolic blood pressure، increased BMI and higher Apgar score and increased birth weight (P<0. 001). Pregnant women are at risk for sleep breathing disorders and sleep breathing disorders are more common in pregnant women with central and general obesity، and higher blood pressure.