The Insight into Obstetric Care near the Front Line in Kharkiv

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• War Medicine

Background:

• The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has significantly altered the humanitarian landscape, particularly in the Kharkiv region.
• Understanding the impact of war on maternal healthcare is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of pregnant individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the management of labor and delivery in proximity to the front lines during wartime.
• To analyze changes in maternal pathologies and obstetric complications in a conflict zone.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving 2030 patients, comparing deliveries in the latter half of 2021 (Group I) with the first half of 2022 (Group II).
• Detailed analysis of subgroups from early 2022 (January, February, March) to assess immediate wartime effects.

Main Results:

• Anemia, uterine contractile activity abnormalities, and episiotomy rates were lower in March during wartime.
• Obstetric complications, maternal comorbidities, and interventions remained similar across groups.
• Elevated cardiovascular disease and endocrine disorders were observed, potentially linked to wartime stress.

Conclusions:

• No significant initial changes in maternal pathologies or obstetric complications were observed during the early months of wartime.
• A later increase in cardiovascular disease and endocrine disorders suggests a long-term impact of the stressful wartime environment on maternal health.