A woman was sexually assaulted while in labour at a hospital in Rome, by a man who had stolen a nurses uniform to sneak onto the delivery ward.

The attacker, a 38-year-old Somali man reportedly walked into the delivery room, where he groped the woman's thighs and genitals and began masturbating, Italian media reports.

The 43-year-old victim fought off her attacker and screamed for help and hospital staff came to her aid.

Alleged attack: 38-year-old Somali man reportedly walked into a delivery room at Sant'Eugenio Hospital in Rome, where he groped the woman and began masturbating

According to several local newspapers, the Somali man had walked into Sant'Eugenio Hospital on New Year's Eve and managed to steal a set of nurses' scrubs from a cupboard.

He does not appear to have been challenged by staff as he made his way into the labour ward where he is said to have sexually assaulted his victim.

He was arrested at the scene and has been charged with aggravated sexual violence and theft.

Security breach: The attacker allegedly stole a nurse's uniform from a storage room at the hospital and made it onto the labour ward (stock image)

The attacker has been living in Italy for five years on a residents permit, but reportedly has a criminal record.

When asked during a court appearance why he was at the hospital on New Year's Eve, he replied 'Only God knows', La Stampa reports.

The newspaper adds that the Somali man will undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

The trial has been scheduled for January 10.