Baseline Characteristics of Covid-19 Infected Spontaneous Abortion Cases

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnancy outcomes. However, there is limited evidence regarding the association between COVID-19 and spontaneous abortion cases, particularly in Bangladesh. Methods: This retrospective observational study investigated the baseline characteristics of 48 cases of spontaneous abortion in pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection at Enam Medical College Hospital, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh between March and July 2020. Participants were included if they experienced fetal demise at 11 or more weeks of gestation, and potential confounding factors, such as fetal malformations or other obstetric disorders, were excluded. Data on demographic characteristics, gestational age, parity, gravidity, and COVID-19 severity were collected and analyzed. Results: The age distribution of participants ranged from 18 to 33 years, with 50% in the 26-30 year age group. A majority (58.33%) were obese, and 83.33% exhibited mild COVID-19 symptoms, while 16.67% were asymptomatic. Regarding gestational age at the time of spontaneous abortion, 50% were between 11-15 weeks, 41.67% were between 16-20 weeks, and 8.33% were between 21-25 weeks. All participants had at least one previous pregnancy, with 33.33% experiencing their second pregnancy, 41.67% their second pregnancy with a previous live birth, and 25% their third pregnancy with at least one previous live birth. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the baseline characteristics and maternal outcomes of COVID-19 infected spontaneous abortion cases in Bangladesh. The findings suggest that severe COVID-19 illness may not be a prerequisite for adverse pregnancy outcomes and highlight the need for further investigations into the potential mechanisms of intrauterine SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the role of placental factors. Larger-scale studies are warranted to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes and develop appropriate management strategies.