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Open Access CC BY-NC-ND V4.0
Journal article
The association between adverse perinatal outcomes, obstructive sleep apnoea and the role of depressive symptoms
BMC pregnancy and childbirth, Article in Press
2026
PMID: 42271270
Abstract
Background
Both obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and depressive symptoms have been independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. However, defining the individual contribution of each condition to adverse perinatal outcomes is difficult because many pregnant women with OSA also have depressive symptoms. This observational study aimed to investigate the relationship between OSA in pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, accounting for the confounding effects of depressive symptoms.
Methods
One hundred twenty two pregnant women (≥ 26 weeks’ gestation) from a tertiary maternity hospital completed overnight monitoring of oxygen saturation and airflow and reported depressive symptoms. Medical records were reviewed, and maternal and newborn outcomes recorded. Binary logistic regression assessed the association of maternal and newborn outcomes with OSA, accounting for depressive symptoms.
Results
Newborns of mothers with OSA had 18 times the odds of having an Apgar score of < 7 at 5 min after birth after accounting for depressive symptoms and body mass index (aOR 18.41, 95% CI 1.17–289.29). Mothers with more frequent dips in oxygenation > 3% had higher birthweight infants after accounting for BMI and depressive symptoms (β = 0.75, 95% CI 0.20–1.29; p = 0.008). Women with depressive symptoms were almost 7 times more likely to have a preterm infant (aOR 6.85, 95% CI 1.57–29.95). Maternal OSA was not associated with gestational hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes or caesarean delivery.
Conclusions
This study shows OSA relates to newborns with low Apgar scores after birth, while depressive symptoms relate to preterm birth. Considering this both psychological interventions and OSA treatment may be valuable in improving perinatal mental health and infant wellbeing.
Details
- Title
- The association between adverse perinatal outcomes, obstructive sleep apnoea and the role of depressive symptoms
- Authors/Creators
- Karen Redhead - University of Notre DameJennifer Walsh - The University of Western AustraliaJohn P Newnham - The University of Western AustraliaDana Hince - University of Notre DamePeter Eastwood - Murdoch UniversityMegan Galbally - Monash University
- Publication Details
- BMC pregnancy and childbirth, Article in Press
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Identifiers
- 991005895661907891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Vice Chancellery
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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