Association of Digital Health Interventions With Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Maternal-fetal Medicine
• Digital Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Gestational weight gain (GWG) significantly impacts maternal and neonatal health.
• Deviations from recommended GWG guidelines increase complication risks.
• Digital health interventions show promise but require efficacy evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of digital health interventions on GWG.
• To evaluate effects on other maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of 42 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Searched major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) up to August 2024.
• Assessed risk of bias using the Revised Cochrane tool; data analyzed with Stata.

Main Results:

• Digital interventions significantly reduced GWG (SMD -0.19) and excessive GWG (OR 0.79).
• Increased adequate GWG (OR 1.33) and reduced risks of miscarriage (OR 0.66) and preterm birth (OR 0.8).
• Reduced complex neonatal outcomes (OR 0.93); other outcomes showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Digitally facilitated healthcare improves specific maternal and neonatal outcomes.
• Interventions are effective in mitigating excessive GWG and maintaining appropriate weight gain.
• Integrating women into digital health teams is feasible and beneficial.