Are Syrian refugees at high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes? A comparison study in a tertiary center in Turkey

In this study, we aim to compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes between Turkish citizens and Syrian refugees who applied to a tertiary center in Izmir.

Demographic characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes of 8103 Syrian refugee pregnant women and 47 151 Turkish citizen pregnant women between January 2013 and December 2018 were retrospectively compared. Our primary aim was to compare the cesarean rates and obstetrical results between two groups and to decide antenatal care secondarily.

Syrian refugee pregnant women are statistically younger (p < 0.001), mean pregnancy duration and mean birth weight is statistically lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Adolescent pregnancy rates, preterm birth rates and anemia are statistically higher in refugee group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Primary cesarean section rates, combined and triple screening tests application rates, gestational diabetes screening rates are meaningfully lower in refugee group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively).

Syrian refugees are at risk for inadequate antenatal care, adolescent pregnancy, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, care should be given to these risks during pregnancy and childbirth to Syrian refugees.