Impact of Lockdown Measures during COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnancy and Preterm Birth
Belal Alshaikh, Po‐Yin Cheung, Nancy Soliman, Marie‐Anne Bründler, Kamran Yusuf
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the effect of the lockdown measures during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pregnancy outcomes of women who were not affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. STUDY DESIGN: We used data from the perinatal health program and neonatal databases to conduct a cohort analysis of pregnancy outcomes during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Calgary region, Canada. Rates of preterm birth were compared between the lockdown period (March 16 to June 15, 2020) and the corresponding pre-COVID period of 2015 to 2019. We also compared maternal and neonatal characteristics of preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Calgary between the two periods. FINDINGS: = 0.71). During the lockdown period, the likelihood of multiple births was lower (risk ratio [RR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60-0.88), while gestational hypertension and clinical chorioamnionitis increased (RR 1.24, 95%CI: 1.10-1.40; RR 1.33, 95%CI 1.10-1.61, respectively). CONCLUSION: Observed rates of very preterm and very-low-birth-weight births decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown. Pregnant women who delivered during the lockdown period were diagnosed with gestational hypertension and chorioamnionitis more frequently than mothers in the corresponding pre-COVID period. KEY POINTS: · Lockdown measures to reduce COVID-19 transmission were associated with a lower rate of preterm birth.. · Mental and physical wellbeing of pregnant women were significantly affected by the lockdown measures.. · A comprehensive public health plan to relieve psychosocial stress during pregnancy is required..