Socioeconomic disparities in changes to preterm birth and stillbirth rates during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a study of 21 European countries

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Zeitlin, J (Author) Other; Philibert, M (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP; Broeders, L (Author) Other; Cap, J (Author) Other; Drau¨nik, Z (Author) Other; Engjom, H (Author) Other; Farr, A (Author) Other; Fresson, J (Author) Other; Gatt, M (Author) Other; Gissler, M (Author) Other; Heller, G (Author) Other; Isakova, J (Author) Other; Källén, K (Author) Other; Kyprianou, T (Author) Other; Loghi, M (Author) Other; Monteath, K (Author) Other; Mortensen, L (Author) Other; Rihs, T (Author) Other; Sakkeus, L (Author) Other; Sikora, I (Author) Other; Szamotulska, K (Author) Other; Velebil, P (Author) Other; Verdenik, I (Author) Other; Weber, G (Author) Other; Zile, I (Author) Other; Zurriaga, O (Author) Other; Smith, L (Author) Other; Klimont, J (Author) Other; Alexander, S (Author) Other; Delnord, M (Author) Other; Racapé, J (Author) Other; Vandervelpen, G (Author) Other; Zhang, W (Author) Other; Kolarova, R (Author) Other; Jordanova, E (Author) Other; Dimnjakovic, J (Author) Other; Rodin, U (Author) Other; Scoutellas, V (Author) Other; Jirova, J (Author) Other; Hansen, AV (Author) Other; Mortensen, LH (Author) Other; Abuladze, L (Author) Other; Heino, A (Author) Other; Amyx, M (Author) Other; Blondel, B (Author) Other; Chantry, A (Author) Other; Tharaux, CD (Author) Other; Durox, M (Author) Other; Hocquette, A (Author) Other; Vilain, A (Author) Other; Bon, D (Author) Other; Misselwitz, B (Author) Other; Antsaklis, A (Author) Other; Sziller, I (Author) Other; Eiríksdóttir, VH (Author) Other; Gunnarsdóttir, J (Author) Other; Ólafsdóttir, HS (Author) Other; Kearns, K (Author) Other; Boldrini, R (Author) Other; Cuttini, M (Author) Other; Donati, S (Author) Other; Pappagallo, M (Author) Other; Misins, J (Author) Other; Gaidelyte, R (Author) Other; Billy, A (Author) Other; Lecomte, A (Author) Other; Pastore, J (Author) Other; Achterberg, P (Author) Other; Hindori Mohangoo, A (Author) Other; Nijhuis, J (Author) Other; Akerkar, R (Author) Other; Klungsoyr, K (Author) Other; Mierzejewska, E (Author) Other; Rodrigues, C (Author) Other; Budianu, M (Author) Other; Cucu, A (Author) Other; Horga, M (Author) Other; Puscasiu, L (Author) Other; Sandu, P (Author) Other; Tica, V (Author) Other; Cáp, J (Author) Other; Lucovnik, M (Author) Other; Alcaide, AR (Author) Other; Fernández Elorriaga, M (Author) Other; Jané, M (Author) Other; Vidal, MJ (Author) Other; Zurriaga, O (Author) Other; Nyman, A (Author) Other; Anderson, D (Author) Other; Clarke, S (Author) Other; McConnell, H (Author) Other; Macfarlane, A (Author) Other; Magill, S (Author) Other; Morgan, S (Author) Other; Murphy, J (Author) Other; Piper, M (Author) Other; Scott, S (Author) Other; Thomas, C (Author) Other; Williams, M (Author) Other

Journal

Title: European Journal of Public Health

Vol. 34

Pages: i58-i66

ISSN: 1101-1262

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-Z1R

DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad186

Abstract (EN): Background Despite concerns about worsening pregnancy outcomes resulting from healthcare restrictions, economic difficulties and increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, preterm birth (PTB) rates declined in some countries in 2020, while stillbirth rates appeared stable. Like other shocks, the pandemic may have exacerbated existing socioeconomic disparities in pregnancy, but this remains to be established. Our objective was to investigate changes in PTB and stillbirth by socioeconomic status (SES) in European countries.Methods The Euro-Peristat network implemented this study within the Population Health Information Research Infrastructure (PHIRI) project. A common data model was developed to collect aggregated tables from routine birth data for 2015-2020. SES was based on mother's educational level or area-level deprivation/maternal occupation if education was unavailable and harmonized into low, medium and high SES. Country-specific relative risks (RRs) of PTB and stillbirth for March to December 2020, adjusted for linear trends from 2015 to 2019, by SES group were pooled using random effects meta-analysis.Results Twenty-one countries provided data on perinatal outcomes by SES. PTB declined by an average 4% in 2020 {pooled RR: 0.96 [95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.94-0.97]} with similar estimates across all SES groups. Stillbirths rose by 5% [RR: 1.05 (95% CI: 0.99-1.10)], with increases of between 3 and 6% across the three SES groups, with overlapping confidence limits.Conclusions PTB decreases were similar regardless of SES group, while stillbirth rates rose without marked differences between groups.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9