Obstetric complications tripled due to Covid-19

According to data compiled from 40 studies in 17 countries, published in the Lancet medical journal on March 31, Covid-19 tripled the number of stillbirths andpregnant woman diedMeanwhile, the rate of ectopic pregnancy increased 6 times (from January 2020 to January 2021). If not treated promptly, ectopic pregnancy can lead to bleeding in the abdomen, which is life-threatening. The number of pregnant women suffering from symptoms of depression and anxiety before and after pregnancy is also higher than when the epidemic had not broken out.

Researchers from St. George's University in London, UK, believe that this change may stem from the fact that pregnant women do not receive adequate medical care when most hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. In addition, some women avoid medical facilities because of concerns about exposure to nCoV.

There was no change in the rate of cesarean section, induction of labor, or the rate of women experiencing pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes.

In contrast, the number of preterm births worldwide fell by 10% in high-income countries more than a year after Covid-19 emerged, while the rate remained unchanged in low- and middle-income countries. Dr Kalafat, a co-author of the study from Koc University in Türkiye, hopes the new research will open the door to a better understanding of the causes of preterm birth, which are notoriously difficult to pinpoint.

Dr Asma Khali, lead researcher, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. George's University, said recent studies demonstrate that disruptions from the pandemic impact avoidable mortality among women and young children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

He called on policymakers and health care leaders to prioritize safe, accessible and equitable maternity care to reduce the negative impact on global maternal health.

Dr Denise Jamieson, Emory University, USA, expressed concern about the research results. "Overall, the study provides compelling evidence that the impact of the pandemic has far exceeded the effects of human infection with nCoV," he said. "The serious negative effects on the health of mothers and newborns may persist long after the pandemic."

Jamieson said a similar problem occurred in some countries during the Ebola outbreak in 2013. "When an infectious disease consumes a lot of health care resources and affects a large part of the population, the health of pregnant women and newborns will be affected," he affirmed.