Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41439840›Full record

ReviewEpidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Perinatal Health Disparities Between Roma and Non-Roma Populations: A Systematic Review.

Afroditi Dimogerontaki, Nikoletta Iacovidou, Styliani Paliatsiou, Paraskevi Volaki, Theodoros Xanthos, Ioannis Panagiotopoulos, Zoi Iliodromiti, Theodora Boutsikou, Rozeta Sokou

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Afroditi DimogerontakiPediatrics Department, Corinth General Hospital, 201 00 Corinth, Greece.ORCID 0009-0001-3778-3809
Nikoletta IacovidouNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-8021-6191
Styliani PaliatsiouNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.
Paraskevi VolakiNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.
Theodoros XanthosSchool of Health Science, University of West Attica, 122 43 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-3670-9305
Ioannis PanagiotopoulosCardiology Department, Onassis Hospital, 176 74 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-0907-7920
Zoi IliodromitiNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.
Theodora BoutsikouNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.
Rozeta SokouNeonatal Department, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 28 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-9972-8901

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWomen from Roma communities face considerable health inequalities, primarily due to limited access to healthcare systems, alongside broader social and structural disadvantages. Among Roma women these disparities are reflected in poorer perinatal outcomes when compared to non-Roma populations. This systematic review aims at: (a) exploring disparities in neonatal health outcomes between Roma and non-Roma populations in relation to maternal factors such as health status, lifestyle, and education; (b) summarizing key perinatal characteristics in these groups; (c) assessing the influence of prenatal care on neonatal outcomes. Comprehending these disparities is crucial for guiding effective interventions and promoting health equity.

methodsA systematic literature review was conducted in major databases, such as PubMed and Scopus, to identify studies published up to 2025. The eligible studies focused on observational research that compared perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), stillbirth, and neonatal mortality, between Roma and non-Roma populations. The potential discrepancies between these populations are thoroughly discussed in the review.

resultsA comprehensive search yielded a total of 157 studies. After meticulous screening, 48 relevant studies were identified, reporting substantial health disparities between Roma and non-Roma mothers and their newborns. Roma populations exhibited significantly increased rates of preterm birth, LBW, and neonatal mortality vs. non-Roma populations. Socioeconomic status, access to prenatal care, maternal education, and systemic discrimination were identified as the primary contributing factors to these disparities.

conclusionsThe findings highlight the significant and enduring disparities in perinatal health between Roma and non-Roma populations. In order to effectively address these disparities, it is necessary to have a comprehensive and multi-level strategy that prioritizes the social determinants of health, ensures equitable access to high-quality maternal care, and mitigates actively systemic discrimination. Future research should prioritize the development and rigorous evaluation of targeted interventions to reduce these inequities and improve perinatal outcomes among Roma populations.

Indexed as

ethnic minoritieshealth disparitiesmaternal healthneonatal healthperinatal outcomesprenatal carepreterm birthRomasocioeconomic factors

Identifiers

PMID41439840
PMCPMC12731756

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.