Stillbirth rises in several countries amid COVID-19 pandemic

In a number of countries, the pandemic has increased the number of stillbirths, as well as an increase in maternal mortality rates, The Lancet Global Health reported referring to a new study.

According to experts, the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women and newborns is not limited to the morbidity and mortality from the infection itself. Lockdowns and congestion in health care systems also contribute.

In a new review, scientists analyzed data from 40 studies covering 6 million pregnancies in 17 countries from January 2020 to January 2021. Studies that focused solely on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection were not included in this analysis. This is the first global assessment of the indirect impact of the pandemic on pregnancy outcomes.

According to Medportal.ru, an analysis of data from 12 studies showed that, compared with the indicators before the pandemic, the stillbirth rate increased by 28%. The maternal mortality studies included in the new review were conducted in two middle-income countries, Mexico and India. In them, maternal mortality in 2020 increased by about a third compared to the previous year.

Three studies showed that the number of surgeries for ectopic pregnancies amid the pandemic increased by almost 6 times. With early diagnosis, this condition can be treated with medication. The increase in the number of surgical procedures may indicate that women are later seeking help due to the pandemic.

The number of preterm births and pregnancy complications did not change during the pandemic. During this period, obstetricians did not use cesarean section and labor induction more often.

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