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. 2022 May 11:9:842826.
doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.842826. eCollection 2022.

Evaluation of the Effects on Uninfected Pregnant Women and Their Pregnancy Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Beijing, China

Chongyi Hao  1   2   3   4 , Feng Jin  5 , Chanjuan Hao  1   2   3   4 , Xiaofen Zhang  5 , Limin Xie  5 , Yawei Zhang  6 , Xuanshi Liu  1   2   3   4 , Xin Ni  4   5   7 , Wei Li  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

Evaluation of the Effects on Uninfected Pregnant Women and Their Pregnancy Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Beijing, China

Chongyi Hao et al. Front Med (Lausanne). .

Abstract

Background: People's lifestyles may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have a profound impact on pregnant women and newborns. This study aims to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on uninfected pregnant women and their newborns, including potential environmental factors.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the pregnancy complications of 802 cases in the pandemic group and 802 controls in the pre-pandemic group in a matched nested case-control study, and evaluated the association with sociodemographic features, lifestyles, and other factors in 311 pregnant women with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Results: Compared to the pre-pandemic group, the rates of anemia, vaginitis, shoulder dystocia, and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth were increased in the pandemic group. After controlling for the covariates, we observed a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the pandemic group. Pregnant women with adverse pregnancy outcomes had an increased rate of anemia and vaginal candidiasis.

Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has profound effects on adverse pregnancy outcomes, suggesting the importance of ensuring regular prenatal checkups and keeping a healthy lifestyle.

Keywords: COVID-19; adverse pregnancy outcomes; birth cohort; lifestyle; nested case-control study.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Questionnaires, routine tests and biological samples were collected at different time points in the CHALLENGE birth cohort. Six types of questionnaires including baseline information, environmental exposures, physical exercise sleep quality, depression scale, and dietary information were collected. After the baseline information was collected, routine tests were conducted in 5 follow-up visits including three routine prenatal testing at 12–13 weeks, 24–28 weeks and 34–35 weeks, one postpartum checkup, and one postnatal checkup at 42 days after parturition. During these visits, blood pressure, blood tests, urine tests and additional tests such as group B streptococcus infection screening, ultrasound exam, nuchal translucency (NT) scan, and electrocardiogram were conducted. The biological samples were collected as shown at different time points.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A flowchart of participant selection and exclusion in this study, China, 2018-2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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