Analysis of Perinatal Outcome During COVID- 19 Pandemic Lockdown: a cross sectional study

Background: Fear of hospitalization in addition to uncertainties about appropriate treatment at the beginning of COVID -19 pandemic may have affected the health and outcome of pregnant women. Lack of transportation, closed out -patient services, and lack of employment has directly linked to poor maternal and perinatal outcomes during nationwide lockdown. This study aimed to assess perinatal outcome during the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown at BPKIHS. Methods: This is a Descriptive Cross- Sectional Study conducted in a tertiary care center in Eastern Nepal from 24th march 2020 to 23rd July 2020 during the first COVID- 19 lockdown. Poor perinatal outcomes: perinatal death, preterm delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, newborn admission, and different reasons for admission were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: There were a total of 2685 obstetric admissions and 2442 deliveries during the study period of 4 months. The perinatal death rate was 26.2 per 1000 births. One hundred and twenty- eight newborns required neonatal admission and prematurity was the most common cause. Mean age and gestational age of women with poor perinatal outcome were 27.16 ± 6.02 years and 36.38± 4.54 weeks respectively. Conclusions: Despite the availability of comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care (CEOC) at our center, poor perinatal outcome is still high. Which was directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as there was closure of OPD services, elective surgery, and most importantly lack of transportation.