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COVID-19 and Global Perinatal Health: Lessons Learned on Maternal-Neonatal Outcomes, Infant Feeding Practices, and

Vignesh Gunasekaran1, Soowan Woo2, Avinash K Shetty3

  • 1West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia, United States, Martinsburg.

American Journal of Perinatology
|July 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened maternal and newborn health outcomes globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduced hospitalization and stillbirth risks.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Newborn Health
  • Global Health
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare systems, impacting maternal and neonatal care.
  • Pregnant individuals and newborns faced direct SARS-CoV-2 infection risks and indirect health system disruptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal outcomes, neonatal care, breastfeeding, and healthcare costs.
  • To contrast these effects between high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Main Methods:

  • A narrative review of peer-reviewed publications.
  • Searches conducted in PubMed, WHO, AAP, and CDC databases up to early 2026.

Main Results:

  • Increased maternal mortality, stillbirth, and neonatal morbidity, particularly in LMICs.
  • Reduced neonatal admissions but increased acuity and length of stay; breastfeeding disrupted by separation policies.
  • COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy reduced hospitalization by 62% and stillbirth risk by up to 45%.

Conclusions:

  • The pandemic exacerbated existing global health inequities in maternal and neonatal care.
  • Evidence-based policies are crucial for maintaining perinatal care quality during health emergencies.
  • Breast milk is safe and protective; vaccination is key for maternal-neonatal health.

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