Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Excess Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity in Israel

Mor, Matan; Kugler, Nadav; Jauniaux, Eric; Betser, Moshe; Wiener, Yifat; Cuckle, Howard; Maymon, Ron

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1721515

Cited by 61 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Another study conducted at a London hospital [6] did not find this decline but showed an increase in stillbirths following the COVID-19 pandemic. This was also found in a single-center retrospective cohort study [7]. However, a most robust study including regional and national data in England found no link between stillbirths and lockdown [8].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

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Lack of changes in preterm delivery and stillbirths during COVID-19 lockdown in a European region

et al. 2021

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Preliminary data in Europe have suggested a reduction in prematurity rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, implying that contingency measures could have an impact on prematurity rates. We designed a population-based prevalence proportion study to explore the potential link between national lockdown measures and a change in preterm births and stillbirths. Adjusted multivariate analyses did not show any decrease in preterm proportions during the lockdown period with respect to the whole prelockdown period or to the prelockdown comparison periods (2015-2019): 6.5% (95%CI 5.6-7.4), 6.6% (95%CI 6.5-6.8), and 6.2% (95%CI 5.7-6.7), respectively. Proportions of preterm live births did not change during lockdown when different gestational age categories were analyzed, nor when birthweight categories were considered. No differences in stillbirth rates among the different study periods were found: 0.33% (95%CI 0.04-0.61) during the lockdown period vs. 0.34% (95%CI 0.22-0.46) during the prelockdown comparison period (2015-2019). Conclusion: We did not find any link between prematurity and lockdown, nor between stillbirths and lockdown. Collaborative efforts are desirable to gather more data and additional evidence on this global health issue. What is Known: • Prematurity is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. • Contingency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on reducing prematurity rates. What is New: • Prematurity and stillbirth rates remained stable in Castilla-y-León, a Spanish region, during COVID-19 lockdown. • The role of behavioral patterns and sociocultural factors in the prevention of preterm birth as a result of lockdown measures remains a subject for debate.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

“…Whether the behavior of prematurity rates is consistent with and in a similar proportion to what is seen in other parts of Europe is not known. In fact, two single-center studies showed a higher rate of stillbirths [6,7], although this was not subsequently corroborated in a more robust national study in England [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Lack of changes in preterm delivery and stillbirths during COVID-19 lockdown in a European region

et al. 2021

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“…This was also found in a single center retrospective cohort study. [7] However, a most robust study including regional and national data in England found no link between stillbirths and lockdown. [8] Furthermore, the approach to prematurity rate research was not the same in all the studies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[3][4][5] Whether the behavior of prematurity rates is consistent with and in a similar proportion to what is seen in other parts of Europe is not known. In fact, two a single center studies showed a higher rate of stillbirths, [6,7] although this was not subsequently corroborated in a more robust national study in England. [8] Our aim was to explore, in a population-based prevalence proportion study, the potential link between national lockdown measures and changes in preterm births and stillbirths.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Lack of Changes in Preterm Delivery and Stillbirths During COVID-19 Lockdown in a European Region

Arnáez

Ochoa-Sangrador²,

Caserío

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Preliminary data in Europe have suggested a reduction in prematurity rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, implying that contingency measures could have an impact on prematurity rates. We designed a population-based prevalence proportion study to explore the potential link between national lockdown measures and a change in preterm births and stillbirths. Adjusted multivariate analyses did not show any decrease in preterm proportions during the lockdown period with respect to the whole pre-lockdown period or to the pre-lockdown comparison periods (2015-2019): 6.5% (95%CI 5.6-7.4), 6.6% (95%CI 6.5-6.8), and 6.2% (95%CI 5.7-6.7), respectively. Proportions of preterm live births did not change during lockdown when different gestational age categories were analyzed, nor when birthweight categories were considered. No differences in stillbirth rates among the different study periods were found: 0.33% (95%CI 0.04-0.61) during the lockdown period vs 0.34% (95%CI 0.22-0.46) during the pre-lockdown comparison period (2015-2019).ConclusionWe did not find any link between prematurity and lockdown, nor between stillbirths and lockdown. Collaborative efforts are desirable to gather more data and additional evidence on this global health issue.

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“…A recent study by Mor et al (2021) assessed the impact of the pandemic on emergency obstetric care and on perinatal outcomes in a low-risk population in Israel. Authors identified that during the first wave of COVID-19 in Israel (from February to April 2020), emergency child delivery hospitalizations were lower on average when compared to the same period in the preceding years (2017-2019) 30 . Moreover, they found a significantly higher rate (p=0.037) of stillbirths during the study period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cesarean section prevalence at a baby-friendly hospital in southern Brazil: current context in the face of COVID-19

Fernandes

Vidaletti

et al. 2021

Preprint

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ObjectiveTo analyze cesarean prevalence at a baby-friendly hospital in Southern Brazil between 2017 and 2020 and possible annual and monthly changes due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.MethodsDescriptive cross-sectional study using secondary data retrieved from the electronic information system of a Baby-Friendly Hospital in the municipality of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Data was retrieved for all hospitalizations at the obstetric center between January 1st 2017 and December 31st 2020. Data on COVID-19 deaths were obtained from the municipal government website. Annual and monthly cesarean prevalence rates were calculated in comparison to the same periods in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Differences in prevalence rates were tested using a chi-square test, taking a significance level of less than 5%. Prevalence ratios were estimated for 2018/2017, 2019/2018, and 2020/2019.Results7,294 childbirths were included. Cesarean prevalence was 42.6% in 2017, 44.3% in 2018, 40.2% in 2019, and 51.0% in 2020. In 2018/2017, there was no statistically significant difference in cesarean prevalence (95%CI: 0.90-1.20). Between 2019/2018, there was a reduction of approximately 20% in prevalence (95%CI: 0.69-0.93). The scenario changes between 2020/2019 with a 40% increase in cesareans (95%CI: 1.20-1.62). The period comprising July to December 2020 was the only period in which over half the deliveries were done by cesarean section, exceeding 60% in July.ConclusionCesarean prevalence rates increased in 2020 in relation to the three preceding years. The data highlight the need to reinforce compliance with childbirth protocols to reduce cesarean sections in baby-friendly hospitals.

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Excess Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity in Israel

Cited by 61 publications

References 21 publications

Lack of changes in preterm delivery and stillbirths during COVID-19 lockdown in a European region

Lack of changes in preterm delivery and stillbirths during COVID-19 lockdown in a European region

Lack of Changes in Preterm Delivery and Stillbirths During COVID-19 Lockdown in a European Region

Cesarean section prevalence at a baby-friendly hospital in southern Brazil: current context in the face of COVID-19

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