A comprehensive evaluation of pregnancy and newborn outcomes in Syrian refugees in Turkey

Abstract

Background The study was conducted to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of Syrian migrant women in a tertiary centre. Methods It was conducted retrospectively using the birth records of 2,866 Syrian migrant women, who had given birth at a tertiary center between January 2016 and May 2020. Demographic features, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were analyzed according to age groups and vitamin D use. Results The mean age of the patients included in the study was 26.22 ± 5.90, the mean gestational age at birth was 38.06 ± 2.1 weeks, and the mean newborn birth weight was 3.151g. The mean hemoglobin value of the patients was 11.55 ± 1.54. While most of the patients were taking iron supplements (80.59%), vitamin D (vit D) supplement intake was 38.31%. The mean number of antenatal follow-ups was 3.40 ± 1.65. While the most common delivery method was normal vaginal delivery (61.93%), cesarean section rates were found to be 38.07%. The need for blood transfusion was significantly lower in the group that had received vitamin D than that in the group that had not received it (2.00% vs. 8.94% p < 0.001). The rate of preterm birth was found to be 5.74% in the group that had received vitamin D and 9.28% in the group that had not received it, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Conclusions We have seen that maternal and fetal outcomes can be improved with hospital follow-up and adequate vitamin supplements in refugee pregnant women.