Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic correlated with significant reductions in premature births across multiple countries. In Denmark, for instance, clinicians reported a 90% decrease.
As detailed in a New York Times article from July 19, 2020, healthcare professionals examined the impact of lockdowns on preterm deliveries. In Ireland, at the University Maternity Hospital in Limerick, researchers analyzed birth data from 2001 to 2020, focusing on January through April. Over two decades, approximately 30,000 infants weighing less than 1.5 kg were born there.
The hospital's typical rate of eight premature births per 1,000 deliveries dropped by 75% in early 2020, with zero preterm births during the lockdown period. Clinicians initially suspected a data error due to the unexpected results.
Denmark's neonatal intensive care units were notably underutilized, prompting investigation. Experts confirmed a 90% reduction in births before the 28th week of gestation.
Similar patterns emerged in Australia, Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands. In Calgary, Canada, premature births halved during lockdowns. Melbourne, Australia, launched an inquiry into the unusually low rates.
These observations remain preliminary and have not yet undergone rigorous scientific peer review. Dr. Denise Jamieson, an obstetrician at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, expressed astonishment, having anticipated an increase due to pandemic-related stress. However, stress levels vary by region, with socioeconomic factors like inadequate social protections exacerbating risks in some areas.
In affected countries, maternal rest during lockdowns likely contributed positively by reducing workplace stress, commuting hazards, and exposure to routine infections. Lower air pollution levels may have also played a role. Researchers from Ireland and Denmark plan collaborative studies to uncover the underlying causes.
