According to a study published in 2024 in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, researchers found a significant increase in preterm births in regions of Ukraine affected by the war. The study analyzed data from 2019 to 2022 and reported a 2.5% increase in preterm births in conflict-affected areas compared to pre-war levels.
While the article mentions a specific case of a baby born after 26 weeks in Zaporizhia, the study itself did not include individual patient stories. The research focused on population-level data from hospital records across Ukraine.
Experts suggest that the rise may be linked to increased stress, displacement, and reduced access to prenatal care during the war. The findings highlight the indirect health impacts of conflict on vulnerable populations.
