Three studies in recent months from Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands have all found a decrease in prematurity rates during the pandemic. A consortium of 40 countries is investigating this phenomenon further by sharing data. An important question to answer is whether the decrease in prematurity is accompanied by an increase in still-births (currently this does not appear to be the case). Speculations are that reduced stress, better hygiene and health practices, and lower environmental pollution might be responsible for the decrease in prematurity.

Did lockdowns lower premature births?