BMJ Paediatrics Open (Oct 2021)

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on institutional delivery, neonatal admissions and prematurity: a reflection from Lagos, Nigeria

  • Duolao Wang,
  • Helen Nabwera,
  • Stephen Allen,
  • Iretiola B Fajolu,
  • Chinyere V Ezeaka,
  • Beatrice Nkolika Ezenwa

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2021-001029
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 1

Abstract

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We assessed the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on deliveries and neonatal admissions according to gestation in Lagos, Nigeria. During lockdown (April–June 2020), there was a marked fall of about 50% in in-hospital deliveries and admissions to the neonatal wards for both in and outborn infants compared with prelockdown (January–March 2020) and a comparison period (April–June 2019). However, the proportion of preterm infants was broadly similar in each period. Lockdown markedly reduced hospital deliveries and healthcare-seeking for sick newborns but did not influence the overall proportion of preterm births among in-house deliveries and outborn neonatal admissions.