Read on Twitter
#COVID19 seems to be decreasing the number of infants requiring the #NICU at our institution. Are other folks seeing the same thing? #tweetiatrician #medtwitter #EBNeo #EBNeoCOVID19
If so, it's interesting to think about why? The fact that NICU admissions may decrease during this time, for me highlights how important social determinants of health are for our patients.
Many reasons for preterm birth, for example, are still somewhat unclear.
Many reasons for preterm birth, for example, are still somewhat unclear.
Our patients tend to be high-risk for many social risks, from financial instability, food insecurity, #poverty. @ChildDefender @NickKristof
1/6 kids live in poverty. 1/4 minority children. https://www.childrensdefense.org/2019/new-census-data-reveals-continued-child-poverty-crisis-in-america/
1/6 kids live in poverty. 1/4 minority children. https://www.childrensdefense.org/2019/new-census-data-reveals-continued-child-poverty-crisis-in-america/
But it is much higher in some subgroups. For example, children <6 years old with single mothers it's closer to 50% https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2019/demo/p60-266.html
So ... what might be happening?
I wonder if we see an acute decrease in NICU need because of a decrease in some social stressors among pregnant women that may precipitate preterm birth (e.g., working long hours)
(there are notable concerns about domestic violence with #COVID19)
I wonder if we see an acute decrease in NICU need because of a decrease in some social stressors among pregnant women that may precipitate preterm birth (e.g., working long hours)
(there are notable concerns about domestic violence with #COVID19)
... but how long would that last? Clearly ... as @nytimes reported today ... the rich and the poor are not experiencing #COVID19 the same way. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/03/us/coronavirus-stay-home-rich-poor.html
