The Effect of Maternal Antenatal Care Utilisation on Childhood Acute Respiratory Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Melash Asresie, Yibeltal Bekele, Don Vicendese, Mehak Batra () and Bircan Erbas
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Melash Asresie: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
Yibeltal Bekele: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
Don Vicendese: School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Mehak Batra: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia
Bircan Erbas: School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3083, Australia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Antenatal care (ANC) offers a valuable opportunity to reduce the risk of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children under five; however, its impact remains less understood and has not been comprehensively synthesised. This systematic review aimed to assess evidence on the association between ANC utilisation and ARIs in children under five. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and 2025. PRISMA 2020 guidelines were followed in reporting. A qualitative synthesis was performed for all ARI outcomes, and a meta-analysis was conducted for pneumonia. Results: Eleven observational studies assessed the association between ANC utilisation and ARIs. Three ARI-related outcomes were identified: pneumonia ( n = 4), pertussis ( n = 2), and general ARIs ( n = 5). ANC attendance was generally associated with reduced odds of respiratory infections across studies. The pooled analysis of two case–control studies ( n = 2; total n = 956) showed a non-significant association between ANC attendance and pneumonia in children (pooled OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.91, 2.35; I 2 = 0%). Conclusion: Our review suggests a potential protective effect of ANC, though evidence from the pneumonia-focused meta-analysis was inconclusive. Improving access to quality ANC may reduce respiratory infections, but more studies are needed across different populations.

Keywords: pneumonia; antenatal care; acute respiratory infection; under-five children; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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