Impact of Corona Virus Disease in Pregnancy and Newborn

Abstract

Background: The novel corona virus has made the world standstill. In India COVID first and second wave has created dramatic fear among the pregnant mothers and the treating obstetricians. Objectives: To study the impact of COVID-19 in pregnancy, newborn and to compare the maternal and neonatal outcome among COVID-19 negative and COVID-19 positive pregnant women during the first and second COVID wave. Materials and Method: This was a prospective study done over one year from July 2020 to July 2021 in a tertiary care hospital in South India. 400 pregnant women attending antenatal outpatient department during COVID willing to participate in the study were included. Nasopharyngeal RT-PCR was done. Socio-demographic profile, maternal and neonatal outcome were compared between non COVID and COVID positive pregnant women. Results: A total of 400 pregnant women were screened for corona virus. 75 pregnant mothers turned positive for COVID-19 and 325 were negative. Among them, 10 were positive during first wave and 65 during second wave. Of them, 20 (26.7%) were asymptomatic and 55 (73.3%) were symptomatic. During the second COVID wave, there was a rise in missed miscarriage (21.5%), intrauterine growth restriction (46.15%), oligohydramnios (53.8%) and intrauterine demise (4.6%). The rate of caesarean and neonatal intensive care unit admission also increased to 70.3% and 59.5% respectively. Conclusion: This study has found increased maternal and neonatal adverse effects associated with COVID second wave. Hence vaccine should be recommended for all pregnant women.