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Preterm Infant Outcomes Following COVID-19 Lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia
Brendan Mulcahy1, Daniel L Rolnik2,3, Alexia Matheson3
1Monash Newborn, Monash Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia.
Insights
Community lockdowns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic did not significantly change composite neonatal outcomes for preterm infants. However, the study observed reduced rates of common neonatal morbidities and inflammatory markers in infants born during lockdowns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Community lockdowns implemented during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may impact preterm birth outcomes.
- The specific mechanisms influencing these potential changes remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neonatal outcomes of preterm infants born to mothers exposed to community lockdowns with those born prior to lockdowns.
- To investigate the influence of COVID-19 lockdowns on neonatal morbidity and mortality in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study design was employed, analyzing neonatal outcomes of preterm infants born in 2020 (lockdown period) versus 2019 (pre-lockdown period).
- The primary outcome measure was a composite of significant neonatal morbidity or death.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in the composite outcome of significant neonatal morbidity or death between the lockdown (12.2%) and control (13.3%) groups (p=0.69).
- Infants born during lockdowns showed significantly reduced rates of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, jaundice requiring phototherapy, hypoglycemia requiring treatment, and lower early neonatal white cell and neutrophil counts.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 community lockdowns did not significantly alter the composite neonatal outcomes for preterm infants.
- Lockdowns were associated with a reduction in the incidence of certain common neonatal morbidities and early inflammatory markers.
Abstract:
Background Community lockdowns during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may influence preterm birth rates, but mechanisms are unclear. Methods We compared neonatal outcomes of preterm infants born to mothers exposed to community lockdowns in 2020 (exposed group) to those born in 2019 (control group). Main outcome studied was composite of significant neonatal morbidity or death. Results Median gestational age was 35 + 4 weeks (295 infants, exposed group) vs. 35 + 0 weeks (347 infants, control group) (p = 0.108). The main outcome occurred in 36/295 (12.2%) infants in exposed group vs. 46/347 (13.3%) in control group (p = 0.69). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use, jaundice requiring phototherapy, hypoglycaemia requiring treatment, early neonatal white cell and neutrophil counts were significantly reduced in the exposed group. Conclusions COVID-19 community lockdowns did not alter composite neonatal outcomes in preterm infants, but reduced rates of some common outcomes as well as early neonatal inflammatory markers.
