Pregnancy-Related Nasal Obstruction and Gestational Hypertension: An Overlooked Association

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy associated nasal obstruction seems to be a commonplace, but still neglected phenomenon during pregnancy. Ancillary studies Although always given the label of benign, substruction may affect sleep quality and oxygenation and autonomic regulation that may lead to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Gestational hypertension remains an important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity, especially in low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pregnancy-related nasal obstruction and gestational hypertension and to examine the association between these two conditions among pregnant women.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was performed on 310, antenatal women attended Out-patient Department from May to December 2025. Pregnancy-related nasal congestion was identified using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, gestational hypertension by antenatal records and blood pressure above 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Results: The Proportions of Pregnancy-Related NAS (PR-NAS) and Gestational Hypertension (GH) were 27.1% and 9.0%, respectively. Coincidence of the two diseases was detected in approximately 6.1% of the study sample. Pregnancy-related nasal obstruction was significantly correlated with gestational hypertension (p < 0.001) and the odds of getting hypertension were higher in pregnant women who reported having nasal obstruction.

Conclusion: Pregnancy-related nasal obstruction is a common symptom and related significantly with gestational hypertension. These data indicate that nasal obstruction in pregnancy cannot be treated as a minor symptom.

JBRMC, Volume 08 Issue 02 July 2026 ; 32-37