Retrospective Evaluation of Perinatal and Early Neonatal Outcomes in Infants of Migrant Mothers: A Case-controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the incidence of perinatal features and neonatal morbidities in migrant mothers in comparison with native Turkish mothers. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the medical records of 89 infants born to Syrian immigrants and 89 infants born to native Turkish mothers who were consecutively admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital between 2015 and 2019. Statistical analyses were used to compare demographic data and perinatal and neonatal outcomes between the two groups. Results: Compared to Turkish mothers, Syrian mothers were significantly younger and adolescent pregnancy rate was significantly higher (p<0.01). The rates of multiple pregnancy, consanguineous marriage, and prolonged premature membrane rupture were also significantly higher in Syrian mothers (p<0.05). The incidence rates of congenital anomalies, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of newborn pneumonia/bronchiolitis, sepsis, jaundice, and feeding problems were the same for infants born to Syrian and Turkish mothers (p>0.05). In addition, the two groups did not differ with respect to gestational week at birth, birth weight, sex, types of delivery, Apgar score, duration of hospital stay, and incidence of infant mortality (p>0.05). Conclusion: The immigrant status negatively affects perinatal and neonatal outcomes. However, the incidence rates of infant mortality and neonatal morbidity did not differ between infants born to Syrian and those born to Turkish mothers. This may be due to the recent improvements in the of overall health status of migrant women or of those migrants living in Turkey being able to have access to increased prenatal and postnatal period policies of mother-child health services which have been successfully implemented.

Neonatal morbidity among African refugee women in Israel: a case–control study

“…11 Similarly, Bulut et al found that the incidence rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity did not differ between infants born to Syrian and those born to Turkish mothers between 2015 and 2019. 15 The mothers in our refugee group were significantly younger than those in the native Israeli group, as was also described in other studies, 12 16 a finding we consider most likely due to a cultural difference rather than to a medical reason. Length of hospital stay in the study group was significantly longer than in the control group.…”

“… 11 Similarly, Bulut et al found that the incidence rates of neonatal mortality and morbidity did not differ between infants born to Syrian and those born to Turkish mothers between 2015 and 2019. 15 …”

Prevalence and associated factor of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to Asella referral and teaching hospital, Asella, Ethiopia, 2024

“…These results highlight the significant factors associated with neonatal mortality and provide valuable insights for understanding and addressing this critical issue (Table 5). [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]…”

Analysis of the Health Records of the Migrants Who Applied to the Training and Research Hospital in Samsun

“…15 Suriyeli kadınlarla yapılan başka bir çalışmada ise adölesan gebeliğin Türk kadınlarından anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir. 22 Adölesan dönemde olan Suriyeli göçmen kadınların %39'unun çocuk doğurmaya başladığı, 15-17 yaş arasındakilerin ya anne olduğu ya da ilk bebeğine gebe olduğu bilinmektedir. 16,23,24 Kamp dışında yaşayan göçmenlerin aile planlaması hizmetlerine erişiminin kısıtlı olması bu duruma katkıda bulunmuş olabilir.…”