Sleep apnea (which is rather called “obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome” in medical language) is manifested by repeated and uncontrolled interruptions of breathing during sleep. Concretely, sleep apnea results in snoring, persistent fatigue, drowsiness during the day…
Sleep apnea is a risk factor for many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases: people who suffer from it (about 8% of 20-44 year olds in France) have an increased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke or heart attack.
According to a new study carried out by the University of Wisconsin-Madison (in the United States), pregnant women who suffer from sleep apnea would also have an increased risk of giving birth to a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Sleep apnea, a risk factor during pregnancy
To reach this conclusion, the American researchers (who published their work in the specialized journal PLOS Biology) worked with mice: towards the end of their gestation period, some pregnant mice underwent periods of nocturnal hypoxia, mimicking the “breathing pauses” characteristic of sleep apnea.
Verdict? The researchers found that the pups born to mothers suffering from sleep apnea presented characteristics reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders: behavioral, memory, socialization problems… Good to know: the researchers only observed these anomalies in the male pups.
Scientists recall that previous studies had already found a link between sleep apnea and certain complications during pregnancy; the obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome would thus be involved in more than 60% of “at risk” pregnancies. Another good reason to get tested without delay!
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