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Increasing Preterm Delivery and Small for Gestational Age Trends in South Carolina during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Kalyan J. Chundru

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Jeffrey E. Korte

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Chun-Che Wen

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Brian Neelon

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
    Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA)

  • Dulaney A. Wilson

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Julio Mateus

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division, Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA)

  • John L. Pearce

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Mallory Alkis

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Matthew Finneran

    (Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Sarah Simpson

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

  • Hermes Florez

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
    Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA)

  • Kelly J. Hunt

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
    Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29401, USA)

  • Angela M. Malek

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA)

Abstract

Preterm delivery (PTD) complications are a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess trends in PTD and small for gestational age (SGA) and whether trends varied between race–ethnic groups in South Carolina (SC). We utilized 2015–2021 SC vital records linked to hospitalization and emergency department records. PTD was defined as clinically estimated gestation less than (<) 37 weeks (wks.) with subgroup analyses of PTD < 34 wks. and < 28 wks. SGA was defined as infants weighing below the 10th percentile for gestational age. This retrospective study included 338,532 (243,010 before the COVID-19 pandemic and 95,522 during the pandemic) live singleton births of gestational age ≥ 20 wks. born to 260,276 mothers in SC. Generalized estimating equations and a change-point during the first quarter of 2020 helped to assess trends. In unadjusted analyses, pre-pandemic PTD showed an increasing trend that continued during the pandemic (relative risk (RR) = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02–1.06). PTD < 34 wks. rose during the pandemic (RR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12) with a significant change in the slope. Trends in SGA varied by race and ethnicity, increasing only in Hispanics (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.04) before the pandemic. Our study reveals an increasing prevalence of PTD and a rise in PTD < 34 wks. during the pandemic, as well as an increasing prevalence of SGA in Hispanics during the study period.

Suggested Citation

  • Kalyan J. Chundru & Jeffrey E. Korte & Chun-Che Wen & Brian Neelon & Dulaney A. Wilson & Julio Mateus & John L. Pearce & Mallory Alkis & Matthew Finneran & Sarah Simpson & Hermes Florez & Kelly J. Hun, 2024. "Increasing Preterm Delivery and Small for Gestational Age Trends in South Carolina during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:465-:d:1373315
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