WMJ Vol 123 Issue 1: Are Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea During Pregnancy Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children: A Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea complicates 10% to 32% or greater of pregnancies, however, reports on long-term effects on the children of pregnancies affected by obstructive sleep apnea are limited.

Objective: We sought to test the hypothesis that the children of pregnant people with symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea during pregnancy have an increased incidence of autism spectrum disorder.

Methods: This was a case-control study comparing the pregnancies of people whose children were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder without a known associated genetic condition to those whose children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder with a known associated genetic condition.

Results: Of the 51 total parents who were eligible and consented to participate, 4 had a child with autism associated with a known genetic condition, and 47 had a child with autism with no known genetic condition. The prevalence of any snoring (50.0% and 36.2%, respectively) and daytime tiredness (75.0% and 89.4%, respectively) were similar between both groups.

Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of any snoring and falling asleep while driving during pregnancy was higher in the sampled population than typically reported in pregnant people. While the sample size for this study was small, our preliminary results suggest that parents of children with autism have a high prevalence of sleep-related concerns during their pregnancies, which indicates the need for further investigation – especially for obstructive sleep apnea. Future studies exploring the neurodevelopmental outcomes of children of a cohort of pregnant people with known presence or absence of obstructive sleep apnea during pregnancy is warranted.

Intended Audience

The intended audience for this continuing education activity is healthcare professionals caring for the people of Wisconsin and beyond.

Learning Objectives

As a result of this journal-based activity, learners as members of the healthcare team will be able to:

  1. Summarize the literature about obstructive sleep apnea in pregnancy reviewed in this article.
  2. Explain results of this study investigating whether the chil­dren of pregnant people at risk of obstructive sleep apnea during pregnancy have an increased incidence of autism spectrum disorder.
  3. Discuss a coordinated effort to screen, test, and treat pregnant people for obstructive sleep apnea, particularly if risk factors such as obe­sity and hypertension exist.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
05/23/2024
Course expires: 
05/22/2025
Cost:
$0.00
Rating: 
0

FACULTY DISCLOSURE

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the  speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this accredited continuing education (CE).  In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

For this accredited continuing education activity all relevant financial relationships have been mitigated and detailed disclosures are listed below.

Name of IndividualIndividual's Role in Activity

Financial Relationship Disclosure

Discussion of
Unlabeled/Unapproved
Uses of Drugs/Devices
in Presentation?

Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhDAccreditation SpecialistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Julia Nick, BSAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kristin Seaborg, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kathleen Kastner, MDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Mihaela Bazalakova, MD, PhDAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Kathleen Antony, MD, MSCIAuthorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Mark Wirtz, MDReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Rachna Tiwari, MBBSReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Fahad Aziz, MDEditorNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Laura Ozkan, PAReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Roberta Pawlak, PhD, RN, NEA-BCReviewerNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo

 

   

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on, patients.

The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation

Accreditation Statement

Jointly Accredited Provider LogoIn support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal.  The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


Credit Designation Statements

American Medical Association (AMA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS (AAPA)

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs  (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.0 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 04/21/2025. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Continuing Education Units

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$0.00
Please login or register to take this course.

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