Stillbirths and maternal death rates have risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows. Getty.
Stillbirths and maternal death rates have risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows. Getty.
Stillbirths and maternal death rates have risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows. Getty.
Stillbirths and maternal death rates have risen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, new research shows. Getty.

Coronavirus: Stillbirths rise by 28% during pandemic, research shows


Neil Murphy
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Stillbirths and maternal death have increased dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, new research suggests.

The findings, which were published in the Lancet Global Health journal, examined 40 studies from 17 countries.

It looked at six million pregnancies for 2020 and provided the first global assessment of the effects of the pandemic on antenatal, birth and postnatal results.

One in 10 women experience a miscarriage in their lifetime and 1 per cent have more than one.. Getty.
One in 10 women experience a miscarriage in their lifetime and 1 per cent have more than one.. Getty.

Outcomes were particularly poor in lower and middle-income countries, the study found.

Analysis of the pooled data suggested the chances of having a stillbirth increased by 28 per cent from before the pandemic.

The report said fear of infection by expectant mothers and reduced maternity services could be blamed for the rise.

Data from India and Mexico also showed the risk of mothers dying during pregnancy or childbirth increased by more than a third.

The number of ectopic pregnancies, where the fertilised egg implants itself outside the uterus, increased almost six-fold during the pandemic across all studies.

The report also revealed worsening mental health for pregnant women and new mothers, with six studies reporting an increase in postnatal depression and maternal anxiety.

The surge in poor pregnancy outcomes was probably driven by pressure on healthcare systems caused by Covid-19, rather than lockdown, the report said.

The varying outcomes could be partially explained by inefficiencies in healthcare systems. But different national pandemic responses did not seem to affect the findings.

It was also found that the number of preterm births – those that occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy – dropped significantly in higher-income countries, where maternal services were likely to be of a higher standard.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare systems around the world," said Prof Asma Khalil of St George’s University of London, the lead author of the study.

"Disruption to services, nationwide lockdowns, and fear of attending healthcare facilities mean that the adverse effects of Covid-19 are expected to have health consequences that extend beyond the deaths and disease caused by the virus.

"It is clear from our study and others that the disruption caused by the pandemic has led to the avoidable deaths of mothers and babies, especially in low and middle-income countries.

"We urge policymakers and healthcare leaders to prioritise safe, accessible and equitable maternity care within the strategic response to the pandemic and aftermath, to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes worldwide.”

First Person
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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
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Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
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1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000

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Leaderboard

63 - Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA)

64 - Rory McIlroy (NIR)

66 - Jon Rahm (ESP)

67 - Tom Lewis (ENG), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG)

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Test

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MATCH INFO

Liverpool 4 (Salah (pen 4, 33', & pen 88', Van Dijk (20')

Leeds United 3 (Harrison 12', Bamford 30', Klich 66')

Man of the match Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

MATCH INFO

Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports

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ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

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A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

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Dos

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Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

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