Change in the Incidence of Still-birth and Preterm Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic

July 9, 2020

Khalil A, von Dadelszen P, Draycott T, et al.

JAMA

The incidences of stillbirth, preterm delivery, caesarean delivery, and neonatal unit admission at St. George’s University Hospital, London were compared between two time periods: the pre-pandemic period (October 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020) and the pandemic period (February 1, 2020 to June 14, 2020). No significant difference was observed over time for preterm delivery, caesarean delivery, and neonatal unit admission. Stillbirth incidence during the pandemic period (n=16 [9.31 per 1000 births]) was significantly higher than during the pre-pandemic period (n=4 [2.38 per 1000 births]. Although no stillbirths during the pandemic period occurred among women with confirmed COVID-19, a high proportion of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and limited diagnostic testing may account for the observed trend. Other possible reasons include reluctance to attend the hospital when necessary, fear of contracting infection, or concern of burdening the National Health Service.

Khalil A, von Dadelszen P, Draycott T, Ugwumadu A, O’Brien P, Magee L. Change in the Incidence of Stillbirth and Preterm Delivery During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA 2020; published online July 10. DOI:10.1001/jama.2020.12746.

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