Declaration of emergency state due to COVID-19 spread in Japan reduced maternal transports without reduction in preterm delivery

Chika Homma, Junichi Hasegawa, Yoko Nishimura, Natsumi Furuya, Masamitsu Nakamura, Nao Suzuki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: To clarify whether the declaration of an emergency state due to the spread of COVID-19 in Japan affected the number of maternal transports and premature births. Methods: A questionnaire-based descriptive study was conducted in perinatal centers throughout Japan in 2020. The incidence of maternal transport and preterm delivery rates every month after the COVID-19 spread in 2020 were compared with those in 2019. Results: Participants were recruited from 52 perinatal centres. The maternal transport rate (maternal transports per number of deliveries) was 10.6% in April and 11.0% in June 2020, compared with 12.5% in 2019 (P < 0.05). The maternal transport rate due to preterm labor was 4.8% in April 2020 and 5.8% in 2019 (P < 0.05). The maternal transport rate during the declaration of emergency state decreased by 21% in April 2020 in non-emergency-declared prefectures, and decreased by 17% in May 2020 in emergency-declared prefectures. However, there was no significant difference in the preterm delivery rate between 2020 and 2019, regardless of the prefecture and gestational period. Conclusion: Declaration of the emergency status due to COVID-19 spread in Japan reduced maternal transport due to preterm labor, but did not reduce preterm delivery itself.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)854-860
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Volume161
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06-2023
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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