Prevalence Study of Sleep Apnea in Women With Preeclampsia
Prevalence Study of Sleep Apnea in Women With Preeclampsia
Hypothesis: The prevalence of sleep apnea is greater in pregnant women with preeclampsia than
 in pregnant women without preeclampsia.The presence of sleep apnea will be associated with
 poor blood pressure control, worsening blood pressure during sleep and evidence of fetal
 distress. The usual treatment for sleep apnea is to have the patient breathe pressurized air
 through a mask. This is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). In preeclamptic
 women with sleep apnea, use of CPAP will result in improved blood pressure control and
 reduced fetal distress.
Sleep apnea is common in the adult population. In middle aged men, the presence of sleep
 apnea has been correlated with hypertension, cardiovascular disease and mood disorders. Sleep
 apnea is not as well studied in women and even less is known about sleep apnea in pregnant
 women. However, preliminary evidence suggests that the incidence is quite high, particularly
 in women with severe preeclampsia. We propose to perform sleep studies on 30 women with
 preeclampsia and 30 healthy pregnant controls. In addition to the usual sleep study
 monitoring, we will also measure beat-to-beat blood pressure through non-invasive monitoring
 and we will do continuous electronic fetal monitoring. Women found to have sleep apnea will
 have a repeat study in which CPAP therapy is applied, and be provided CPAP therapy for
 nightly use at home.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Pregnant women >18 years of age

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  significant medical conditions that would be expected to affect maternal- fetal
 outcomes

 -  need for admission to hospital, so that it transfer to the sleep would compromise
 maternal-fetal safety