title: Nocturnal hypoxaemia in late pregnancy.
abstract: We have measured arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) continuously overnight in 13 non-pregnant (NP), 13 pregnant normotensive (NPIH) and 15 pregnant patients with a diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The two pregnant groups did not differ in duration of pregnancy (> 35 weeks) and none was in labour. There was no significant difference in age between these three groups. Mean SpO2 in group NP was 98.5% (range 97-99%). This was significantly higher than that in group NPIH (95.2 (91-98) %) and group PIH (94.9 (89-99) %). In seven pregnant patients, more than 20% of the recording was spent with an SpO2 < 90%. We conclude that a significant number of pregnant women (> 35 weeks' gestation) suffer from prolonged nocturnal hypoxaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Leicester Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourne
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ogilvy
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vickers
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Williamson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen