Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate and compare perinatal outcomes, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission rates, and neonatal immunization rates between Syrian immigrant and Turkish citizen pregnant women. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using hospital records of Syrian and Turkish citizen pregnant women who received care at a tertiary referral center between January 2019 and December 2024. Demographic characteristics, perinatal outcomes, and neonatal vaccination rates were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 10,565 pregnant women were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups based on nationality: 10,407 were of Turkish origin and 158 were of Syrian origin. The mean age of all participants was 31.48 ± 5.54 years. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks, and the average birth weight was 3191.92 ± 591.11 g. The mean age of Turkish pregnant women was 31.48 ± 5.52 years, while the mean age of Syrian pregnant women was 31.67 ± 6.47 years. The mean gestational age at delivery was 38 weeks for Turkish women and 39 weeks for Syrian women. The mean birth weight of newborns born to Turkish women was 3190 ± 591.25 g, whereas the mean birth weight of newborns born to Syrian women was 3267 ± 581.64 g. The mean duration of hospital stay post-delivery was 40.16 ± 10.77 h. The incidence of multiple pregnancies was 1.4%. Cesarean section was the most common mode of delivery, with a rate of 67%. The mean length of hospital stay for Turkish pregnant women was 40.19 ± 10.76 h, whereas it was 37.92 ± 11.39 h for Syrian pregnant women. The rate of multiple pregnancies was 1.5% among Turkish women and 1.3% among Syrian women. The overall cesarean section rate was 67.2% in Turkish women and 56.3% in Syrian women. Among newborns born to Turkish mothers, the rate of hepatitis B vaccination was 86.3%, and the rate of vitamin K administration was 89.3%. In newborns born to Syrian mothers, the hepatitis B vaccination rate was 82.9%, and the rate of vitamin K administration was 88%. Hepatitis B vaccine was administered to 86% of all newborns, and vitamin K injection was given to 89% of them. Secondary-level NICU admission was observed more often among neonates of Syrian immigrant mothers (38.6%) compared to Turkish citizens (32.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal outcomes were comparable between Syrian immigrant and Turkish citizen pregnant women. Although neonates born to immigrant mothers did not require advanced intensive care more frequently, the need for secondary-level NICU admission was higher.