Social distancing and extremely preterm births in the initial COVID-19 pandemic period

J Perinatol. 2024 Jul;44(7):1050-1057. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-01898-3. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Abstract

Hypothesis: Increased social distancing was associated with a lower incidence of extremely preterm live births (EPLB) during the initial COVID-19 pandemic period.

Study design: Prospective study at the NICHD Neonatal Research Network sites comparing EPLB (220/7-286/7 weeks) and extremely preterm intrapartum stillbirths (EPIS) rates during the pandemic period (March-July, weeks 9-30 of 2020) with the reference period (same weeks in 2018 and 2019), correlating with state-specific social distancing index (SDI).

Results: EPLB and EPIS percentages did not significantly decrease (1.58-1.45%, p = 0.07, and 0.08-0.06%, p = 0.14, respectively). SDI was not significantly correlated with percent change of EPLB (CC = 0.29, 95% CI = -0.12, 0.71) or EPIS (CC = -0.23, 95% CI = -0.65, 0.18). Percent change in mean gestational age was positively correlated with SDI (CC = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.07, 0.91).

Conclusions: Increased social distancing was not associated with change in incidence of EPLB but was associated with a higher gestational age of extremely preterm births.

Gov id: Generic Database: NCT00063063.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Gestational Age*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant, Extremely Premature*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Physical Distancing*
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Stillbirth / epidemiology
  • United States / epidemiology

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00063063