ABSTRACT
AimsWith the declaration of the pandemic in March 2020, concerns on its impact on neonatal outcomes were raised. This study was conducted to compare neonatal diagnoses and outcomes during pre-COVID and COVID periods in a local neonatal unit (LNU) in the United Kingdom.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted between 1st January 2019 – 31st May 2021. Admissions into the neonatal/post-natal wards were screened via electronic record system. Data was categorised as pre-COVID (January 2019- March 2020, 15months) and COVID periods (April 2020- May 2021, 14 months). Preterm births, congenital anomalies, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), deaths were included. P-value was calculated using Chi-square test, <0.05 was considered significant.Results8825 were the total births recorded. 1809 (20%) neonatal admissions were identified. 638 (7%) neonates were included in the analysis (based on inclusion criteria). Live births between pre-COVID and COVID periods were similar (median – 4412, p 0.99). Neonatal admissions during the COVID period were higher in comparison to pre-COVID (943 vs 866, p <0.01). No ethnical differences were observed between two periods (p 0.65). One preterm neonate at day 13 was COVID positive. On comparison of gestational ages (pre-COVID and COVID periods)- <27 weeks (0.2% vs 0.16%, p 0.56), 27-32 weeks (0.5% vs 1.3% p <0.01), 32-37 weeks (3.2% vs 5.4%, p<0.01). Congenital anomalies during pre-COVID and COVID periods (15% vs 10%, p 0.21) were the same. HIE in COVID period was higher in comparison to pre-COVID (0.06% vs 0.23%, p 0.03). Neonatal deaths were the same (0.09% vs 0.02%, p 0.2).ConclusionThis observational study captures a large number of neonatal births and outcomes during pre-COVID and two COVID peaks in the region. We report very low COVID test positivity rate in neonates in this cohort. We conclude that neonatal admissions during COVID increased due to preterm and complex term admissions. Interestingly, HIE incidence was high during COVID period, this needs further validation.