The number of premature births at University Maternity Hospital Limerick dropped by almost 75% during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Typically, babies with a low birth weight account for 8 out of every 1,000 live births at the region’s maternity hospital, however so far in 2020, the rate has been about one-quarter of that.
The figures are contained in a report carried out by doctors based at the Ennis Road facility, which has gained international attention.
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Consultant Neonatologist, Professor Roy Philip says further research is needed to determine the exact cause of the drop in numbers, but he believes it could be down to a number of factors relating to the lockdown.
