Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study
Abstract Background Fetal movements are an important indicator of fetal well-being; therefore, reduced fetal movements (RFMs) can indicate fetal compromise. RFM is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Studies have implied that COVID-19 infection increas...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07196-w |
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| author | Amira Gentili Irene Sterpu Joanna Tingström Eva Wiberg-Itzel |
| author_facet | Amira Gentili Irene Sterpu Joanna Tingström Eva Wiberg-Itzel |
| author_sort | Amira Gentili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Fetal movements are an important indicator of fetal well-being; therefore, reduced fetal movements (RFMs) can indicate fetal compromise. RFM is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Studies have implied that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, such as preterm birth and IUFD. It is unclear how COVID-19 infection may aggravate these fetal outcomes among women presenting with RFM. The aims of the study were to (1) determine whether adverse fetal outcomes in women with RFM increased in 2020 compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic, and (2) evaluate whether maternal COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was a risk factor for adverse fetal outcomes in comparison to previously established risk factors among women seeking care for RFM. Methods All women who sought care due to RFM and were delivered at Soder Hospital from 2019 to 2020 were included. Fetal composite outcomes were constructed and compared between women with RFM and COVID-19 and women with RFM but without COVID-19. Results COVID-19 infection did not increase the risk of adverse fetal outcomes in women who sought care for RFM. A twofold risk for adverse fetal outcomes was found among all primiparous women vs. multiparous women with RFM (98/788 [12.4%] vs 37/644 [9.8%], AOR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.6–3.7). Conclusion The proportion of adverse composite outcomes among women with RFM during the first year of the pandemic did not increase compared to the year before. Composite outcomes were marginally higher in the COVID-19-positive group compared to the COVID-19-negative group, but it was not statistically significant. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-efe0d036d572480babecc6453bd5f507 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj-art-efe0d036d572480babecc6453bd5f5072025-02-02T12:47:03ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-01-0125111010.1186/s12884-025-07196-wReduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort studyAmira Gentili0Irene Sterpu1Joanna Tingström2Eva Wiberg-Itzel3Department of Clinical Science and Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institute, SodersjukhusetDivision of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Clinical Science and Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institute, SodersjukhusetDepartment of Clinical Science and Education, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institute, SodersjukhusetAbstract Background Fetal movements are an important indicator of fetal well-being; therefore, reduced fetal movements (RFMs) can indicate fetal compromise. RFM is associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). Studies have implied that COVID-19 infection increases the risk of adverse fetal outcomes, such as preterm birth and IUFD. It is unclear how COVID-19 infection may aggravate these fetal outcomes among women presenting with RFM. The aims of the study were to (1) determine whether adverse fetal outcomes in women with RFM increased in 2020 compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic, and (2) evaluate whether maternal COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was a risk factor for adverse fetal outcomes in comparison to previously established risk factors among women seeking care for RFM. Methods All women who sought care due to RFM and were delivered at Soder Hospital from 2019 to 2020 were included. Fetal composite outcomes were constructed and compared between women with RFM and COVID-19 and women with RFM but without COVID-19. Results COVID-19 infection did not increase the risk of adverse fetal outcomes in women who sought care for RFM. A twofold risk for adverse fetal outcomes was found among all primiparous women vs. multiparous women with RFM (98/788 [12.4%] vs 37/644 [9.8%], AOR = 2.5, 95% CI (1.6–3.7). Conclusion The proportion of adverse composite outcomes among women with RFM during the first year of the pandemic did not increase compared to the year before. Composite outcomes were marginally higher in the COVID-19-positive group compared to the COVID-19-negative group, but it was not statistically significant.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07196-wReduced fetal movementsIntrauterine fetal deathStillbirthsCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Amira Gentili Irene Sterpu Joanna Tingström Eva Wiberg-Itzel Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Reduced fetal movements Intrauterine fetal death Stillbirths COVID-19 |
| title | Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_full | Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_fullStr | Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_short | Reduced fetal movements and COVID-19 infection: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_sort | reduced fetal movements and covid 19 infection a retrospective cohort study |
| topic | Reduced fetal movements Intrauterine fetal death Stillbirths COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-025-07196-w |
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