Prevalence of Preterm Births and Complications of Prematurity: A Comparison Between First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Previous Year

Background: COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant challenges on the health systems. management policies such as lockdown have made access to centers difficult. Pregnant women are a high-risk group whose pregnancy outcomes may be affected by pandemic. So, it is necessary determine changes in prevalence of preterm births and complications prematurity during Objectives: This study aimed first year compared with previous year. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included all live born between March 2019 2021 Mahdiyeh hospital, Tehran, Iran. We reviewed medical records extract complications. Then, used Chi-square test analyze categorical variables. Results: A total 10,830 were study. During pandemic, moderate or late had 4.64% reduction (P < 0.001), term birth increased 5.37% 0.001) The respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) decreased significantly (23.64% vs. 26.56%, P 0.001). retinopathy (ROP) (3.97% 2.28%, Additionally, sepsis was more prevalent (6.84% 1.23%, Moreover, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) comparison (1.10% 0.08%, Conclusions: lockdown. Also, major RDS, ROP, sepsis, IVH