Journal article
Birth Outcomes and Prenatal Care Use in the U.S. During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), Vol.52(2), pp.329-336
06/2025
DOI: 10.1111/birt.12890
PMID: 39394754
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed substantial social and economic disruptions that may have had adverse effects on maternal and infant health. This study examines the changes in birth outcomes and prenatal care use during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic years.BACKGROUNDThe COVID-19 pandemic has posed substantial social and economic disruptions that may have had adverse effects on maternal and infant health. This study examines the changes in birth outcomes and prenatal care use during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic years.Data come from birth certificates from the U.S. Vital Statistics Natality Files. The analytical sample includes 18,678,327 births in the 50 states and Washington, DC between 2017 and 2021. An event study is employed to examine changes in multiple birth outcomes and prenatal care use over years adjusting for demographic/socioeconomic characteristics and state of residence.METHODSData come from birth certificates from the U.S. Vital Statistics Natality Files. The analytical sample includes 18,678,327 births in the 50 states and Washington, DC between 2017 and 2021. An event study is employed to examine changes in multiple birth outcomes and prenatal care use over years adjusting for demographic/socioeconomic characteristics and state of residence.There were very small changes in birth outcomes during pandemic years in 2020 and 2021. Specifically, low birth weight odds were lower in 2020 (OR = 0.99; 95 CI: 0.98-0.99) but higher in 2021 (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.03-1.04) compared to 2019. C-section odds were higher in 2021 (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.002-1.008) than in 2019. The mean number of prenatal visits in both 2020 and 2021 relative to 2019 was lower by about 0.3 visits (95% CI: -0.31 to -0.30 in 2021).RESULTSThere were very small changes in birth outcomes during pandemic years in 2020 and 2021. Specifically, low birth weight odds were lower in 2020 (OR = 0.99; 95 CI: 0.98-0.99) but higher in 2021 (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.03-1.04) compared to 2019. C-section odds were higher in 2021 (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.002-1.008) than in 2019. The mean number of prenatal visits in both 2020 and 2021 relative to 2019 was lower by about 0.3 visits (95% CI: -0.31 to -0.30 in 2021).Overall, there is no evidence of broad pandemic effects on low birth weight and preterm birth in 2020-2021.CONCLUSIONOverall, there is no evidence of broad pandemic effects on low birth weight and preterm birth in 2020-2021.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Birth Outcomes and Prenatal Care Use in the U.S. During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021
- Creators
- Wei Lyu - University of Alabama at BirminghamGeorge L Wehby - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), Vol.52(2), pp.329-336
- DOI
- 10.1111/birt.12890
- PMID
- 39394754
- NLM abbreviation
- Birth
- ISSN
- 1523-536X
- eISSN
- 1523-536X
- Publisher
- WILEY; HOBOKEN
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/11/2024
- Date published
- 06/2025
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Health Management and Policy; Economics
- Record Identifier
- 9984722715502771
Metrics
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