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Published on: November 5, 2021
Delivery in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2: A fast review
Fabio Parazzini1,2, Renata Bortolus3, Paola Agnese Mauri1,2
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Background:
Few case reports and clinical series exist on pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 who delivered.
Objective:
To review the available information on mode of delivery, vertical/peripartum transmission, and neonatal outcome in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Search Strategy:
Combination of the following key words: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, and pregnancy in Embase and PubMed databases.
Selection Criteria:
Papers reporting cases of women infected with SARS-CoV-2 who delivered.
Data Collection And Analysis:
The following was extracted: author; country; number of women; study design; gestational age at delivery; selected clinical maternal data; mode of delivery; selected neonatal outcomes.
Main Results:
In the 13 studies included, vaginal delivery was reported in 6 cases (9.4%; 95% CI, 3.5-19.3). Indication for cesarean delivery was worsening of maternal conditions in 31 cases (48.4%; 95% CI, 35.8-61.3). Two newborns testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR assay were reported. In three neonates, SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM levels were elevated but the RT-PCR test was negative.
Conclusions:
The rate of vertical or peripartum transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is low, if any, for cesarean delivery; no data are available for vaginal delivery. Low frequency of spontaneous preterm birth and general favorable immediate neonatal outcome are reassuring.
