Connection Found Between Pandemic Lifestyle and Increase in Newborn Health Problems

Study on pandemic-related social distancing and its impact on neonatal mortality and preterm birth rates reveals concerning trends.

Social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic effectively reduced the spread of the virus, but had unanticipated effects such as reduced healthcare accessibility and utilization, particularly in high-risk populations.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found a correlation between increased social distancing behaviors and higher rates of neonatal mortality and preterm birth during the pandemic.
The study analyzed data from the CDC to compare neonatal mortality and preterm birth rates from 2016-2019 with 2020 rates, indicating no significant difference when adjusted for trends.
Changes in healthcare access, such as fewer prenatal visits, during periods of increased social distancing may have contributed to the observed correlations between social distancing and adverse neonatal outcomes.
The findings highlight the need for further studies to understand the unintended effects of pandemic-related health behavior changes in order to better prepare for future health crises.

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