Impact of the Mw7.6 Elbistan, Earthquake on Perinatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study from the Epicenter

Background Natural disasters such as earthquakes can significantly impact maternal and neonatal health, especially in vulnerable populations. On February 6, 2023, the Mw7.6 Elbistan earthquake struck southeastern Turkey, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to environmental stress and disruptions in healthcare access during such events. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Elbistan earthquake on perinatal outcomes in women who delivered in the epicentral region during the post-disaster period. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Elbistan State Hospital in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. The study group included women who gave birth during the four months following the earthquake (February 6 – June 6, 2023). The control group consisted of women who delivered during the same period in the previous year (2022) to control for seasonal variations. Data were extracted from hospital records and included maternal age, cesarean section rates, indications for fetal distress, gestational age at delivery, and neonatal outcomes such as birth weight (BW), birth length, head circumference (HC), and APGAR scores. Results A total of 345 women were included in the 2023 (post-earthquake) cohort and 533 in the 2022 (control) cohort. The 2023 group exhibited significantly higher rates of cesarean section due to fetal distress (11.9% vs. 4.1%, p < 0.001) and late preterm birth (6.7% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.005). Neonates born post-earthquake had significantly lower mean BW (3147.0 ± 429.8 g vs. 3215.0 ± 519.0 g, p = 0.043), shorter length (49.2 ± 2.3 cm vs. 49.9 ± 2.7 cm, p < 0.001), and smaller HC (34.7 ± 1.4 cm vs. 35.0 ± 1.9 cm, p = 0.010). Additionally, 1- and 5-minute APGAR scores were significantly lower in the exposed group (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusion Exposure to the Mw7.6 Elbistan earthquake was associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, including increased rates of fetal distress, late preterm birth, and reduced neonatal anthropometric and clinical parameters. These findings emphasize the need for targeted maternal care strategies and disaster preparedness protocols to safeguard maternal and neonatal health during and after natural disasters.