Periconceptional Sleep Quality and Adverse Maternal-Perinatal Outcomes: An Exploratory Study from India

Shadab Ahamad

Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, India

Abstract :

Background: Sleep disturbances affect nearly half of all pregnant women—45.7% globally and 49.4% in India. Despite its critical role in maternal and fetal health, periconceptional poor sleep quality (PSQ) remains an underexplored risk factor, particularly in the Indian subcon­tinent. Objective: To investigate the association between periconceptional PSQ and adverse maternal-perinatal outcomes in an Indian cohort.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 mother-infant dyads with neg­ative echocardiographic findings at a free tertiary pediatric cardiac hospital (2024-2025). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Clinical, familial, and so­cio-demographic data were captured via a structured in-house questionnaire and analysed using SPSS.

Results: Of 217 mothers, 120 (55.2%) reported PSQ. Pre-sleep screen time >4 days/week (OR=2.48, p=0.004) and right-lateral sleep position (OR=1.87, p=0.027) were significantly associated with PSQ, while folic-acid supplementation reduced the risk by 49% (p=0.016). PSQ prevalence was higher among mothers from central India (OR=2.19, p=0.006) and ur­ban areas (OR=2.16, p=0.023). PSQ correlated with preterm birth (p=0.051), caesarean deliv­ery (OR=1.92, p=0.028), and NICU admission (OR=3.04, p=0.001). No significant associations were found with maternal anaemia, gestational diabetes, hypotension, or respiratory dis­tress, though trends were noted for pregnancy-induced hypertension and thyroid disorders (p=0.098 each).

Conclusion: PSQ was significantly associated with modifiable risk factors and adverse peri­natal outcomes, underscoring the need to integrate sleep assessment into routine maternal care. Future research should explore causal mechanisms and evaluate targeted interventions.

Biography :

Shadab Ahamad is a PhD scholar in Life Sciences at Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence, India. He has published 14+ peer-reviewed papers in reputed international journals and delivered presentations at 20+ global and national conferences, earning several best presentation awards. He has successfully supervised 11 dissertations and trained rural students in biomedical sciences. His research expertise spans genomics, bioin­formatics, and clinical epidemiology, with a strong focus on congenital heart disease, maternal exposures, and birth outcomes.