Severe Maternal Morbidity and Neonatal Mortality After COVID-19 Infection: Case Report

Maternal coagulopathy and adverse fetal effects are both possible results of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. This case demonstrates the potentially fatal outcomes when both occur simultaneously.

A 39-year-old multiparous woman at 31 weeks gestation presented with mild COVID-19 symptoms and decreased fetal movement. Evaluation included a biophysical profile with 2/8 scoring and fetal heart rate tracing that developed a terminal bradycardia. She underwent an emergent cesarean delivery that was complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation (fibrinogen < 60mg/dL, platelets 34, international normalized ratio [INR] 2.1) and maternal hemorrhage requiring massive transfusion. The neonate ultimately required prolonged resuscitation with Apgar scores of 0/0/0 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes and passed away on day 6 of life.

Even in the absence of severe symptoms, maternal COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can cause a maternal systemic and placental reaction that can lead to serious maternal morbidity, as well as fetal or neonatal morbidity and mortality.