ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2023
Preterm birth and stillbirth rates associated with socioeconomic disparities during COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cross-sectional study.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- The association of COVID-19 lockdowns with adverse birth and pregnancy outcomes in 28 high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nature human behaviour · 2025Pooled it
- Disruptions in perinatal outcomes across Manitoba, Canada: before and over 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Article
- The impact of changes in health policies caused by COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes in Iran during health crises: A retrospective quasi-experimental study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- Changes in Preterm and Low Birthweight Birth Rate During the COVID-19 Lockdown at Two San Francisco Hospitals.Journal of epidemiology and global health · 2025Article
- Increasing Preterm Delivery and Small for Gestational Age Trends in South Carolina during the COVID-19 Pandemic.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2024Article
- SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Estonia in 2020 and 2021: A register-based study.Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
15 authors at 6 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundConflicting evidence exists on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on preterm birth (PTB) and stillbirth rates. We aimed to evaluate changes in PTB and stillbirth rates before and during the pandemic period and assess the potential effect modification of socioeconomic status (SES).
methodsUsing the linked administrative health databases from Manitoba, Canada, we conducted a cross-sectional study among all pregnant women, comparing 3.5 years pre-pandemic (1 October 2016 to 29 February 2020) to the first year of the pandemic (1 March 2020 to 31 March 2021). We used generalised linear models to assess the quarterly rates of PTB (<37 weeks) and stillbirths. We calculated the predicted trends based on pre-pandemic period data. Finally, we evaluated the PTB and stillbirth rates among lower and higher SES pregnant women (average annual household income) using subgroup analysis and interaction models.
resultsWe examined 70 931 pregnancies in Manitoba during the study period. The risk of PTB increased by 7.7% (95%CI 1.01 to 1.13) and stillbirths by 33% (95% CI 1.08 to 1.64) during the pandemic period. Following COVID-19 restrictions implemented in March 2020, there were increases in the quarterly rates of both PTB (immediate increase (β
conclusionWhile the onset of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions was not associated with significant effects on stillbirth rates, we observed an immediate and rebound effect on PTB rates. The impact of COVID-19 on preterm birth was dependent on SES, with higher influence on families with lower SES. Further studies are needed to detect future trend changes during pandemic waves after 2021 and assess potential underlying mechanisms.
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