The pandemic social restrictions were linked to an increase in preterm births and newborn deaths, according to a new study.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, is yet further evidence for the harmful knock-on effects of the social restrictions like lockdowns and social distancing.
Researchers looked at data for over 18 million births that took place in Alabama between 2016 and 2020, and compared pre-pandemic years to the period after social restrictions were implemented, in March 2020.
A link between the social restrictions and adverse outcomes for pregnant mothers and their babies became clear once the researchers looked at the period beginning two months after the restrictions were introduced. They then found a link between the population’s social-distancing behaviour—its adherence to the rules—and neonatal mortality and preterm births.
The researchers believe their results may be related to disruptions to prenatal care and pregnancy complications that resulted from them. During the pandemic, there were fewer prenatal visits and medical checkups during pregnancy.
“This study shows that, on a population level, there might be delayed effects of health interventions,” said Dr Vivek Shula, senior study author.
“Sometimes the effects of measures are not evident on the first day the measures are implemented.”
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