Affiliation:
1. Queen Mary University of London
2. Amsterdam University Medical Centre
3. Queen Mary University London
4. Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam
5. Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital
6. Queen Mark University of London
Abstract
Abstract
We aimed to review the evidence on the impact of lockdowns on adverse birth and pregnancy outcomes (ABPOs) and related inequalities in high-income countries (HICs). Databases were searched from Jan 1, 2019-June 22, 2023, for original observational studies based in HICs which compared the rates of ABPOs, before and during lockdowns. We ran random effects meta-analyses and subgroup analyses per region, lockdown period, ethnicity group, and deprivation level, we also adjusted for underlying temporal trends. 132 studies were meta-analysed. Preterm birth (PTB) decreased in the first lockdown (RR = 0·96[95%CI:0·93 − 0·99]), when only considering studies that adjusted for long-term trends, this reduction in PTB remained (0·97[0·95 − 0·99]). The reduction was larger in Europe (0·94[0·92 − 0·96]) and Australia (0·94[0·90 − 0·99]), and only observed in white ethnicity groups (0·94[0·89 − 0·98]), and in those living in low deprivation (0·95[0·91 − 0·98]). More women screened positive for possible depression antenatally during lockdown (1·37[1·06 − 1·78]). Lockdowns affected advantaged and disadvantaged subgroups in an unequal manner.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC