Heart sympathetic activity and pulmonary function in obese pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate autonomic balance and pulmonary function in obese women according to their baseline weight and weight gain during pregnancy.


METHODS
A cohort study.


METHODS
Hospital of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Leon, Mexico.


METHODS
One hundred and seventy-eight healthy pregnant women (88 obese and 90 non-obese).


METHODS
At first visit of pregnancy and in the third trimester blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were evaluated and spirometry, oximetry, and 60 minutes electrocardiograph monitoring were performed.


METHODS
Heart rate variability and pulmonary function.


RESULTS
Blood pressure levels, glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were higher in obese women, whereas total power of heart rate variability was lower in this group than in non-obese women at the beginning of pregnancy. In the third trimester, the standard deviation of all the normal R-R intervals was lower in obese women, whereas blood pressure and glucose levels remain higher. In the multiple regression analysis, the change in forced expiratory volume at 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio and leptin levels independently of weight gain were associated to low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) index at third trimester (R2=0.21; p<0.001 for the model) only in obese women.


CONCLUSIONS
LF/HF index at third trimester of pregnancy is associated with increase in leptin levels and decrease in FEV1/FVC in obese women independently of weight gain.
Amador-Licona
Norma
N
Unit of Clinical Research, Mexican Institute of Social Security, Leon, Mexico. norma.amador@imss.gob.mx
Guízar-Mendoza
Juan Manuel
JM
Juárez
Manuel
M
Linares-Segovia
Benigno
B
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014797:Vital Capacity
D001786:Blood Glucose; D020738:Leptin