Sleep Quality Relates to Metabolic Health in Second Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract Objectives Examine the relationships between self-reported sleep quality parameters and markers of metabolic health during pregnancy. Methods Baseline data collected at 12–20 weeks gestation from pregnant women enrolled in a high-fiber RCT (SPROUT; NCT04868110) were analyzed. Exclusion criteria included any known metabolic disturbance (e.g., history of diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension). At the visit, a fasted blood draw, height, and weight were performed. Self-reported pre-pregnancy weight was collected. Sleep quality was assessed using the global Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score (PSQI; >5 indicates poorer overall sleep quality) and sleep efficiency from the PSQI (100-point scale, higher indicates better efficiency). Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), serum glucose, serum insulin, and hemoglobin A1c were analyzed using standardized protocols. Pearson's correlations, means, and standard deviations were performed. Results Thirty-three participants were included in the analyses. Participants had a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2, PSQI of 4.61 ± 2.4, and sleep efficiency of 89.8 ± 10.7. Sleep efficiency was related to TC (r = −0.41, p = 0.018) and LDL-C (r = −0.418, p = 0.016); and PSQI was related to LDL-C (r = 0.372, p = 0.033). No relationships were found between sleep parameters and other lipid or glycemic markers. Conclusions In a group of low-risk pregnant women, lower sleep efficiency and overall sleep quality were related to higher levels of blood lipids. Funding Sources Internal funding received from School of Health Professions at presenting author's academic institution.