55 Maternal and early childhood health and social outcomes of migrants in high-income countries and the impact of policies that restrict access to healthcare; a systematic review and meta-analysis

OP 7: Parents and Children, B302 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 15:45 - 16:45 Aims The “healthy migrant effect” suggests migrants often experience better health outcomes than native populations, despite socioeconomic disadvantages and barriers to services. Its applicability to maternal, infant and child health is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the characteristics of migrant women in the perinatal period in high-income countries (HICs) and the impact of restrictive healthcare coverage policies on maternal and child health and wellbeing. Methods Studies from 2014–2024 comparing perinatal outcomes of foreign-born migrant women and children (up to five years) with native-born counterparts in HICs were included. Pooled risk ratios were calculated using random-effects meta-analyses for pre-determined outcomes. Results From 49 studies (18,630,871 participants across 16 HICs), migrant women were more likely to belong to minority ethnic groups, have less formal education, and lower socioeconomic status and less likely to be primiparous, under 20 years old, or smoke during pregnancy. Migrants were, on average, more likely to experience maternal mortality (RR = 1.56, 95%CI=1.21,2.02), emergency caesarean birth (RR = 1.23,95%CI=1.13,1.34), food insecurity(RR = 2.21,95%CI= 1.88,2.59), perinatal depressive and anxiety disorders (RR = 1.50, 95%CI=1.05,2.13), intimate partner violence (RR = 1.67,95%CI= 1.49,1.87), low Apgar score (RR = 1.45, 95%CI=1.25,1.67), and slightly less likely to experience low birth weight or small for gestational age(RR=.96, 95%CI=.92,1.00). In countries with restrictive healthcare policies, risks increased for emergency caesarean birth (RR = 1.24, 95%CI=1.12, 1.37). Inclusive healthcare policies were associated with fewer preterm births (RR=.89, 95%CI=.85,.94). There were no significant differences for severe maternal morbidity, fetal loss, neonatal intensive care admission, or childhood vaccination adherence. Evidence on other outcomes, including quality of care and long-term childhood impacts, was limited. Conclusions The “healthy migrant effect” is not applicable to women during the perinatal period due to significant health inequalities. These findings underscore the need for universal healthcare and targeted interventions. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of immigration policies on child health.