Five stillbirths, two newborn deaths conclusively linked to Delta variant in unvaccinated mothers

The guidance, to be published by the HSE, recommends women with the virus be assessed with CTG monitors not just ultrasound scans in later pregnancy. Picture: Larry Cummins

Research from a team at Cork University Maternity Hospital has conclusively linked five stillbirths and two newborn deaths in Ireland late last year to the impact of the Delta variant of Covid-19 on unvaccinated mothers.

New guidance from the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in which these findings are quoted, cautions there is no clinical data yet on the impact of Omicron for pregnant women. It follows studies early last year linking a small number of stillbirths to the Alpha variant of the virus.