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Maternal sleep health and fetal outcomes

The study found that fetuses of women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea were more likely to experience impaired fetal growth in late pregnancy.

  • Brief

    An investigation into the impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea on fetal growth and well-being.

  • Background

    Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition that occurs when the upper airways collapse during sleep, causing airway obstruction and resulting in low oxygen levels in the mother’s blood stream, called hypoxia. 

  • Key takeaways

    The study found that fetuses of women with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea were more likely to experience impaired fetal growth in late pregnancy; this suggests that Obstructive Sleep Apnoea may impair placental exchange of oxygen and nutrition to the baby. 

  • Key Contributors

    Research institution: Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne
    Chief Investigators: Dr Alison Fung, Associate Professor Sue Walker, Dr Maree Barnes
    Other Investigators: Dr Helen Esdale, Ms Danielle Wilson 

  • Full report

    Access the report here.

  • Funding amount

    $20,050