Effect of COVID -19 pandemic on still births.

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the strength of the strongest medical management in the globe. In developing countries, this contagious disease is quickly spreading in the midst of various endemic medical conditions like HIV, tuberculosis, jungle fever, lack of healthy sustenance, and incessant episodes of rampant contaminations. This happens especially in a setting of frail healthcare systems which may scarcely adapt to the previously mentioned existing medical challenges.

Purpose: The objective of this research is to examine the impacts of pandemic of COVID-19 on the stillbirth rates.

Methodology: Study was conducted at department of obstetrics and gynecology Unit Gynae C Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 1st January 2019 to 31st August 2020. This comparative cross sectional study was carried out at using non probability consecutive sampling technique.

Findings: A large number of patients admitted with the diagnosis of stillbirth during 2019 and 2020 were multiparas 57% and 62% respectively. Booking status was 64% during 2019 and dropped to 52% in pandemic year 2020.Percentages of stillbirth due to abruption, placenta previa, gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM), type II diabetes, malpresentation, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR),obstructed labor, eclampsia, postdates and unknown causes in 2019 and 2020 have been given in the table.