Effects of the COVID pandemic on pregnancy outcomes
1Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's Hospital, St George's University of London, UK.
Insights
Pregnant women with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) face similar disease characteristics but higher intensive care needs. While maternal and neonatal outcomes are generally good, monitoring is crucial, especially regarding iatrogenic preterm birth.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatal Health
Background:
- Pregnant women and neonates are considered high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Research indicates COVID-19 presents similarly in pregnant and non-pregnant women.
- Third-trimester pregnant women with COVID-19 may have a higher need for intensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19.
- To compare outcomes between pregnant women with and without COVID-19.
- To assess the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy, stratified by trimester.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on COVID-19 in pregnant populations.
- Comparative analysis of maternal and neonatal outcomes.
- Assessment of intensive care unit admission rates and disease severity.
Main Results:
- Pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 requiring hospitalization had worse maternal outcomes, including mortality, though absolute risk is low.
- Neonatal outcomes were generally favorable, but iatrogenic preterm birth was more frequent.
- Third-trimester pregnant women showed increased intensive care unit admission rates compared to non-pregnant individuals.
Conclusions:
- Symptomatic COVID-19 in pregnant women is associated with increased risks for adverse maternal outcomes.
- Neonatal outcomes are predominantly positive, with iatrogenic preterm birth being a notable concern.
- Continued monitoring of pregnant and postpartum women by trimester is essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract:
Pregnant women and neonates are often categorised as being at high risk during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the characteristics of COVID-19 disease in pregnant women and non-pregnant women are very similar. However, pregnant women with COVID-19 in the third trimester are more likely than their non-pregnant counterparts to require intensive care, though this may reflect a lower threshold for intervention in pregnant women rather than more serious disease. Compared with pregnant women without COVID-19, pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 requiring admission to hospital have worse maternal outcomes, including death, although the absolute risk remains very low. Outcomes of neonates born to women positive for COVID-19 are generally very good, though iatrogenic preterm birth is more common. Findings from these studies highlight the need for further monitoring of the outcomes of pregnant and post-partum women according to trimester during this pandemic.
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