Increase in preterm stillbirths in association with reduction in iatrogenic preterm births during COVID-19 lockdown in Australia: a multicenter cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a worsening of perinatal outcomes in many regions around the world. Melbourne, Australia, had one of the longest and most stringent lockdowns worldwide in 2020 while recording only rare instances of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women.

Objective

This study aimed to compare the stillbirth and preterm birth rates in women who were exposed or unexposed to lockdown restrictions during pregnancy.

Study design

This was a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of perinatal outcomes in Melbourne before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The lockdown period was defined as the period from March 23, 2020 to March 14, 2021. Routinely-collected maternity data on singleton pregnancies ≥24 weeks gestation without congenital

SUBMITTER: Hui L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9017088 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature