Serious pregnancy complications increased during pandemic --[Reported by Umva mag]

September 11, 2024—Rates of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain rose significantly during first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

In addition, the study found that Black, Hispanic, and less-educated individuals experienced greater and more sustained increases in gestational diabetes than other groups.

The study was published September 4 in Epidemiology. Authors included staff of Harvard Chan School’s Social Policies for Health Equity Research (SPHERE) Center: Rita Hamad, director and associate professor of social and behavioral sciences; and Kaitlyn Jackson and Daniel Collin, both senior statistical analysts.

Researchers used National Center for Health Statistics data to examine trends in health among all 24 million live births that occurred in the U.S. from 2015 to 2021. They estimated whether changes in maternal health trends after the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 differed from what would have been predicted based on pre-existing trends.

In a September 4 article in The Hill, Hamad shared theories on what may have driven the increases in pregnancy complications outlined in the study, including COVID-19 infection as well as consequences of the pandemic such as stress and limited access to exercise and healthy food.

She did note one positive finding: By January 2021, there was a significant drop in women receiving inadequate prenatal care, with Black and Hispanic individuals benefiting most. “Our hypothesis … was that there were expansions in telehealth during the beginning of the pandemic,” Hamad told The Hill. “That might have been a brief silver lining.”

Read The Hill article: Pregnancy complications spiked during early months of pandemic: Study

Image: iStock/Marcela Vieira

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.