Study of Association of Sleep Disturbances with Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes

Abstract Background: Pregnant women commonly experience sleep disturbances, which have been linked to hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and adverse neonatal outcomes. However, evidence from Indian antenatal populations remains limited. This retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study assessed the association between sleep disturbances and maternal/perinatal outcomes among pregnant women attending an outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, over 18 months (January 2023–June 2024). One hundred consecutive antenatal women were recruited based on the predefined criteria. Sleep-related exposures included total sleep duration, perceived sleep quality, difficulty initiating sleep, nighttime awakenings, habitual snoring, self-reported sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Maternal variables included gravidity, previous abortions, high-risk status, antepartum events, premature rupture of membranes, mode of delivery, and liquor volume. Neonatal outcomes assessed were need for resuscitation, complications, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay >24 h, and APGAR scores at 1 and 5 min. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics and Chi-square, t -test/Mann–Whitney U , or Kruskal–Wallis tests (SPSS v20), with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Most participants were aged 21–30 years (61%) and primigravid (51%). Poor sleep quality (43%), snoring (49%), self-reported apnea (17%), and RLS (29%) were common. Poor sleep quality, short sleep duration, snoring, and nocturnal awakenings were significantly associated with high-risk maternal status and NICU stay >24 h. Lower APGAR scores were noted among women reporting short sleep, snoring, or apnea. Conclusion: Multiple dimensions of disturbed sleep were significantly associated with adverse maternal characteristics and early neonatal compromise. Incorporating brief sleep screening into routine antenatal visits may help identify at-risk mothers for timely intervention.