Preterm birth during the COVID-19 pandemic: more, less, or just the same?

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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

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Isabelle Dehaene1, Caroline Van Holsbeke2, Kristien Roelens1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Acta Clinica Belgica
|June 22, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated mitigation measures have been linked to potential changes in preterm birth (PTB) rates globally.
  • Existing literature presents varied findings, with some regions reporting decreased PTB, others no change, and a few an increase.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and synthesize existing literature on the relationship between COVID-19 and PTB.
  • To compare PTB incidence in three Belgian tertiary care hospitals between 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic).

Main Methods:

  • A non-systematic literature review was conducted and findings summarized.
  • Retrospective analysis of PTB rates at Ghent University Hospital, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, and University Hospital Leuven.
  • Statistical comparison of PTB rates between 2019 and 2020 using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, with pregnancy duration analyzed via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Main Results:

  • International studies show inconsistent effects of the pandemic on PTB rates.
  • In three tertiary care hospitals in Flanders, Belgium, no significant difference in PTB rates was observed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Most studies included in the review focused solely on live births.

Conclusions:

  • The precise impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation strategies on PTB incidence remains uncertain.
  • Further research should consider all conceptions and all birth outcomes (stillbirths and live births) for a comprehensive understanding.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2infectious diseaseprematuritypreterm birth

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