Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 disease 2019 [COVID-19] appear to be at greater risk of morbidity and mortality complications in pregnancy. Objective: This prospective analysis aimed to assess maternal and neonatal outcomes among hospitalized pregnant women with COVID-19. Methods: The present prospective study included COVID-19-positive pregnant women referred to our tertiary care centre. Data related to demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, laboratory parameters, histopathological findings, procedure, treatment regimen and clinical outcomes were recorded. and analysed. We studied maternal and neonatal outcomes among hospitalised pregnant women with COVID-19. Results: During the period from April 2020 to April 2022, we studied 83 women clinically diagnosed with COVID-19. Placenta previa (n = 3), decrease in foetal movement (n = 2) and premature rupture of membranes (n = 1) were observed among pregnant women with COVID-19. A total of 31 women had pre-term delivery (37–40 weeks gestation). Of these 83 patients, 17.6% had pneumonia, 14.7% had hypothyroidism, 8.8% had gestational diabetes mellitus and 5.9% had gestational hypertension. Elevated baseline C-reactive protein (21.6 mg/dL) and interleukin-6 (16.6 pg/mL) levels were observed. Mother-to-child COVID-19 transmission was observed in one neonate. The length of hospital stay had ranged from 2 to 77 days in COVID-19 positive mothers. Eighty two patients (98.8%) were managed conservatively and were successfully discharged. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that pregnant women with COVID-19 have a significant impact on maternal health and pregnancy outcomes.

Keywords

• c-reactive protein
• interleukin-6
• placenta previa
• pre-term delivery