The COVID-19 Pandemic and Routine Prenatal Care: Use of Online Visits

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic (CINT) presented challenges to healthcare delivery, including prenatal care.
• Understanding changes in prenatal care during CINT is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the number, timing, and components of prenatal care visits and screenings during the CINT phase versus the pre-pandemic period (PreCINT).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 2,195 patients during CINT and 2,395 patients during PreCINT at seven New York City public hospitals.
• Outcomes included total prenatal visits, screening completion and timing, and adverse neonatal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Patients during CINT had more total prenatal visits but initiated care later and had fewer in-person visits compared to PreCINT.
• Telehealth visits were introduced during CINT, while specific screenings (Group B Streptococcus, quadrivalent, anatomy sonogram) increased, but glucose challenge tests decreased.
• No significant difference was observed in adverse neonatal outcomes between the two periods.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic had minimal negative impact on outpatient prenatal care within this hospital system.
• Despite challenges, prenatal care adapted with increased telehealth and specific screenings, maintaining comparable neonatal outcomes.