Hybrid Maternity Care and Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Гибридная помощь при беременности и влияние на исходы беременности: системный обзор и метаанализ
Aris T. Papageorghiou, Moshe Hod, Elena D’Alberti, Antonella Giancotti, Daniele Di Mascio
2026-01-06

CINAHLClinicalTrials.govCochrane LibraryI2 statisticMEDLINEScopuscesarean deliveryfetal growth restriction (FGR)hybrid antenatal carehybrid maternity carein-person and remote visitsneonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissionpreeclampsia with severe featurespreterm birth (PTB) <37 weeksrandom-effects meta-analysissmall-for-gestational-age (SGA)stillbirth
This study aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of hybrid antenatal care models (structured integration of in-person and remote visits) on adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes compared with traditional care. MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to November 8, 2025. Studies comparing hybrid antenatal care with standard care were included. Primary outcome was stillbirth; secondary outcomes included small-for-gestational-age (SGA) at birth or fetal growth restriction (FGR), preterm birth (PTB) <37 weeks, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia with severe features, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis models with 95% CI and quantification of I2 statistics. Eight studies, encompassing 159.303 pregnancies, met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 60.987 (38.3%) received hybrid antenatal care, and 98.316 (61.7%) received traditional care. The incidence of stillbirth did not differ significantly between models (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.76-1.19). Similarly, no differences were observed in SGA/FGR (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.88-1.11), NICU admission (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.86-1.05), PTB <37 weeks (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.95-1.07), and preeclampsia with severe features (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.94-1.23). A significant increase in cesarean delivery was observed among patients receiving hybrid care (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02-1.13). The latter achieves maternal and perinatal outcomes comparable to standard care models. Responsible implementation grounded in ethics, equity, and standardization might in the future reshape traditional maternity care.
1
Across eight studies totaling 159,303 pregnancies (38.3% hybrid care), hybrid models achieved maternal and perinatal outcomes overall comparable to standard care.
2
Authors recommend responsible implementation of hybrid care emphasizing ethics, equity, and standardization as a potential way to reshape maternity care.
3
Hybrid antenatal care (combined in-person and remote visits) did not significantly change stillbirth rates compared with traditional care (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.76–1.19).
4
Hybrid antenatal care was associated with a small but significant increase in cesarean delivery compared with standard care (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.13).
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Neonatal intensive care unit admission rates were similar between hybrid and traditional antenatal care (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.86–1.05).
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No significant differences were found for small-for-gestational-age or fetal growth restriction between hybrid and standard care (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.88–1.11).
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Preeclampsia with severe features showed no significant difference between hybrid and traditional models (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.94–1.23).
8
Preterm birth (<37 weeks) incidence did not differ between hybrid and standard care (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.95–1.07).

Hybrid antenatal (maternity) care model combining in-person and remote prenatal visits

Impact of the hybrid antenatal care model on maternal and perinatal outcomes (stillbirth, SGA/FGR, preterm birth <37 weeks, cesarean delivery, preeclampsia with severe features, NICU admission)

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2026-01-06
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Aris T. Papageorghiou
Moshe Hod
Elena D’Alberti
Antonella Giancotti
Daniele Di Mascio
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