Risk Factors Associated With COVID-19 Symptoms and Potential Vertical Transmission During Pregnancy: A Retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Pregnant women are a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 can negatively affect birth and newborn outcomes.
• Factors influencing COVID-19 severity in pregnancy and vertical transmission require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine maternal characteristics influencing COVID-19 outcomes in pregnancy.
• To determine if COVID-19 disease severity impacts pregnancy outcomes.
• To investigate the association between maternal factors and symptomatic COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with COVID-19 admitted to two public hospitals (April-August 2020).
• Collection of pregnancy outcomes, clinical, laboratory, and placental data.
• Comparison of characteristics between symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2.

Main Results:

• Symptomatic pregnant women with COVID-19 had a significantly higher pregestational body mass index (BMI) compared to asymptomatic women.
• Symptomatic women exhibited significantly lower potassium levels than asymptomatic women.
• No observed influence of maternal COVID-19 severity on placental pathology, infant health, or evidence of vertical transmission.

Conclusions:

• High pregestational BMI is associated with symptomatic COVID-19 in pregnant women.
• Lower potassium levels are linked to the presence of COVID-19 symptoms in pregnant individuals.
• Maternal COVID-19 severity did not appear to affect placental findings or infant health in this cohort.