The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released a report recording data pertaining to birth statistics in the early years of the COVID 19 Pandemic.

The findings show that in 2020 and 2021, there were over four thousand  fewer babies requiring specialised care, and over two thousand babies born at a low birth weight, among other statistics. This study was commissioned by the Australian Government in order to provide data for health legislation surrounding pregnancy as well as pre-natal and post-natal care

These statistics do not determine causes or effects pertaining to COVID-19 infection or vaccination, but are ready to be used by other data assets and analysts in order to explore these interactions in future.

See the AIHW’s study here.

Image: Image: Shutterstock – TommyStockProject

Produced By: Steven Samaras

Featured In Story: Deanna Eldridge, Head of the Perinatal Data Unit at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 8 May 2024