Social Distancing and Extremely Preterm Births in the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Authors

Vivek V Shukla
Benjamin A Carper
Namasivayam Ambalavanan
Matthew A Rysavy
Edward F Bell
Abhik Das
Ravi M Patel
Carl T D'Angio
Kristi L Watterberg
C Michael Cotten
Stephanie L Merhar
Myra H Wyckoff
Pablo J Sánchez
Neha Kumbhat
Waldemar A Carlo
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network

Publication Date

7-1-2024

Journal

Journal of Perinatology

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 (22

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.

Keywords

Humans, COVID-19, Infant, Extremely Premature, Female, Pregnancy, Prospective Studies, Infant, Newborn, Physical Distancing, Gestational Age, SARS-CoV-2, Premature Birth, Stillbirth, United States, Incidence

Comments

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: Generic Database: NCT00063063.

Supplementary Materials

PMID: 38388715