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(Reuters) – Stillbirth and maternal death rates increased by about a third during the COVID-19 pandemic, with pregnancy outcomes worsening globally for babies and mothers around the world, data review shows international published Wednesday.
Combining data from 40 studies in 17 countries, the review found that lockouts, interruption of maternity services, and fear of going to health facilities increased the chances of pregnancy, leading to generally worse outcomes for women. women and infants.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on health systems,” said Professor Asma Khalil, who co-led the research at St George’s University in London. “The disruption caused … has led to preventable deaths of mothers and babies, especially in low- and middle-income countries.”
Published in the Lancet Global Health journal, the journal found an overall increased risk of stillbirth and maternal death during the pandemic, and found that the impact on poorer countries was disproportionately greater.
It also revealed significant damage to the mother’s mental health. Of the 10 studies included in the review that reported on maternal mental health, six found an increase in postnatal depression, maternal anxiety, or both.
The study did not analyze the direct impact of the COVID-19 infection itself during pregnancy, but was designed to examine the collateral impact of the coronavirus pandemic on prenatal outcomes, at birth. and postnatal.
Commenting on the results, Jogender Kumar of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India said they highlighted worrying disparities in healthcare.
“In resource-poor countries, even under normal circumstances, it is difficult to provide adequate coverage for antenatal exams, obstetric emergencies, universal institutional deliveries and respectful maternity care,” he wrote in a comment. “The COVID-19 pandemic has widened this gap.”
(Reporting by Kate Kelland, editing by William Maclean)
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