Neonatal Outcomes

Vaccinated individuals showed statistically significant reductions in preterm birth, SGA, NICU admission, and severe neonatal morbidity. Skin-to-skin contact stabilises newborn physiology, including heart rate variability and breathing. Severe neonatal morbidity was measured as a composite of diagnoses and procedures during birth admission. Skin-to-skin contact may provide neuroprotection by lowering stress hormones and improving autonomic regulation. Vaccination was not significantly associated with very preterm birth or stillbirth. The stillbirth estimate did not show a statistically significant increased risk. Hypothermia is strongly associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Newborns are vulnerable to rapid heat loss after birth because of their relatively large surface-area-to-volume ratio.