Maternal to fetal transmission of SARS-COV-2 and its association with mode of delivery in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objectives: In our study, we aim to determine: a) Transmission rate of SARS-COV-2 in neonates of SARS-COV-2 positive pregnant women. b) Transmission rate in different modes of delivery. Materials and methodology: A prospective hospital based study was conducted in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati for a period of six months. A total of 292 COVID -19 positive cases were delivered which includes antenatal patients and all postpartum patients within 14 days of delivery. The test undertaken was RT-PCR for identification of SARS COV-2. All data was analysed by SPSS version 21 and p-value of <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: In our study, we have seen that 292 pregnant women delivered and out of which 16 had COVID-19 positive neonates that is the transmission rate is 5.48%. 66% were delivered by LSCS and 34% had vaginal delivery. Out of the COVID-19 positive babies, 75% were delivered by caesarean section and 25% were delivered vaginally. Conclusion: The high incidence of caesarean section is due to the fact that initially we didn’t have enough facility to monitor the antenatal cases. The COVID-19 positive status of the infant does not depend on the mode of delivery.

Keywords

• sars-cov-2
• vertical transmission rate
• covid-19 pandemic
• birth outcome