Angela OnwuzooLeading health experts have alerted that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the incidence of preterm birth among pregnant women in the country. The viral pandemic, they said, has also further exacerbated infant mortality rate in Nigeria. He, however, revealed that COVID-19 was increasing preterm deliveries and miscarriages among pregnant women in Nigeria, based on available scientific evidence. “Scanty reports in Nigeria also show that there is an increase in preterm births and pregnant women are having miscarriages owing to the impact of COVID-19. Dr. Airhumwunde, however, stated that even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, figures of preterm deliveries in Nigeria were higher compared to other countries.

Source: Punch August 23, 2020 03:00 UTC