Experiencing sleep disturbances during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes
Expectant mothers could be at risk of health complications as a result of having sleep disrupted.
Researchers in Finland have announced findings of a study that showed sleep disturbances during pregnancy could be a significant risk factor for developing gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is recognised as a rapidly increasing public health problem.
Where the research took place, in Finland, gestational diabetes is already diagnosed in almost one in five pregnant women.
Gestational diabetes increases the risk of complications for both the mother and the child during pregnancy and, in the long term, the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Sleep disturbances are also very common during pregnancy. From existing research they have been suspected to have an adverse effect on glucose metabolism, but there was previously only limited data based on research on the subject.
The Kuopio Birth Cohort study (KuBiCo) was conducted by teams from Kuopio University Hospital and the University of Eastern Finland, with the findings recently published in Journal of Pregnancy.
Researchers found that sleep disturbances experienced in the second trimester were associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes – regardless of the mother’s age, body mass index (BMI) or other known risk factors.
More than 5,000 pregnant women in Finland participated in the study. During the third trimester of their pregnancy, they responded to a sleep survey regarding the second trimester. Monitoring continued until delivery, and 23% of the participants were diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
Expectant mothers that reported difficulty falling asleep, night time or early morning awakenings and daytime sleepiness were at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, according to the study.
Joanna Laurila, Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland and study author, said: “The more sleeping difficulties the pregnant mother had, the greater the risk of her developing gestational diabetes was.”
In addition, it was found that a higher BMI in early pregnancy was the strongest single factor predicting several sleep disturbances.
Sleep disturbances were more common among those who needed medication for gestational diabetes than among those for whom lifestyle changes were a sufficient treatment.
Johanna Masar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KuopioUniversity Hospital, Kuopio, Finland and study author, said: “The results indicate that sleep is not just a side factor in wellbeing but an essential part of controlling metabolism during pregnancy. Detecting sleep disturbances can help identify women who have an increased risk of gestational diabetes.”
The study report concluded: “Screening for and management of sleep disturbances should be included in routine monitoring during pregnancy, such as monitoring by maternity clinics. Improving the quality of sleep may support healthy lifestyles and promote better glucose balance during pregnancy.”
Professor Leea Keski-Nisula, Chief Physician, Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland and study author, said: “In the future, sleep issues will also be examined in more detail in the Nirvana study, which is part of the KuBiCo study. The Nirvana study focuses more on sleep apnoea and the identification of sleep disturbances,” says Chief Physician.”
Read the report in Journal of Pregnancy
Read more about gestational diabetes in the DRWF diabetes information resource What is diabetes?
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