Impact of COVID-19 on maternal health and birth outcomes: A network analysis in Alabama

This study aimed to assess the effects of COVID-19 on birth outcomes for women in Alabama by comparing data from pre-pandemic years (2018 and 2019) to post-pandemic years (2021 and 2022).

Retrospective cohort study with network analysis.

The study used a retrospective cohort design to compare maternal and birth outcomes before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with network analysis employed to evaluate changes in the complexity of multimorbidity interactions during these two periods. Maternal health metrics, including maternal age, number of prenatal visits, weight at delivery, number of morbidities, BMI, gestational diabetes, hypertension, premature births, and NICU admissions, were analyzed to assess changes between pre-pandemic (2018-2019) and post-pandemic (2021-2022) periods. Ethnicity disparities, particularly among American Indian or Alaska Native and Black mothers, were evaluated in relation to BMI, comorbidities, and previous cesarean rates.

The analysis revealed significant changes in maternal health metrics during the pandemic. Post-pandemic, average maternal age increased from 27.45 to 27.80 years (p < 0.001), prenatal visits decreased from 10.44 to 10.27 (p < 0.001), and BMI rose from 27.72 to 28.24 kg/m² (p < 0.001). Gestational diabetes increased from 5.53 % to 6.54 %, hypertension from 10.45 % to 12.72 %, premature births from 4.65 % to 6.52 %, and NICU admissions from 8.93 % to 10.24 % (all p < 0.001). Network analysis demonstrated that the complexity of the multimorbidity network worsened after COVID-19, indicating more intricate and interconnected disease interactions. Ethnicitydisparities were also evident, with American Indian or Alaska Native and Black mothers disproportionately affected, showing substantial increases in BMI, age, weight, and previous cesarean rates.

These findings underscore the exacerbation of health disparities during the pandemic, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and continued research on COVID-19's long-term effects.