Abstract

BackgroundThe effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and newborns is incompletely understood. Preliminary data shows a rather fluctuating course of the disease from asymptomatic or mild symptoms to maternal death. However, it is not clear whether the disease increases the risk of pregnancy-related complications. The aim of the study is to describe the maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics and outcome of pregnancies with SARS-CoV-2 infection.MethodsIn this retrospective national-based study, we analyzed the medical records of all pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 and their neonates who were admitted to New-Jahra Hospital (NJH), Kuwait, between March 15th 2020 and May 31st 2020. During the study period and as part of the public health measures, a total of 185 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2, regardless of symptoms, were hospitalized at NJH, and were included. Maternal and neonatal clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and treatments were collected. The outcomes of pregnancies included miscarriage, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), preterm birth and live birth were assessed until the end date of the outcomes follow-up (November 10th 2020).ResultsA total of 185 pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled with a median age of 31 years (interquartile range, IQR: 27.5–34), and median gestational age at diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection was 29 weeks (IQR: 18–34). The majority (88%) of these women had mild symptoms, with fever (58%) being the most common presenting symptom followed by cough (50.6%). At the time of the analysis, out of the 185, 3 (1.6%) of the pregnant women had a miscarriage, 1 (0.54%) had IUFD which was not related to COVID-19, 16 (8.6%) had ongoing pregnancies and 165 (89%) had a live birth. Only 2 (1.1%) of these women developed severe pneumonia and required intensive care. A total of 167 neonates with two sets of twins were born with median gestational age at birth was 38 (IQR: 36–39) weeks. Most of the neonates were asymptomatic, and only 2 of them tested positive on day 5 by nasopharyngeal swab testing.ConclusionsIn this national-based study, most of the pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed mild symptoms. Although mother-to-child vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is possible, COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may not lead to unfavorable maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Highlights

  • The effect of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and newborns is incompletely understood

  • SARS-CoV-2 is a member of the Coronavirus family, and other pathogens from this family have inflicted a range of viral infections, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) [5]

  • Study design We performed a retrospective national-based analysis of medical records from all SARS-CoV-19 positive pregnant women and their neonates who were admitted to New-Jahra Hospital, Kuwait between March 15th, 2020 and May 31st, 2020, and the outcomes were assessed till the end date of follow-up (November 10th, 2020)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

The effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and newborns is incompletely understood. The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly spread to become a global pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization in March 2020 [1,2,3]. This remarkable widespread SARS-CoV-2 reflects a new public health crisis [4]. Most of the fatal cases occurred in patients with advanced age or underlying comorbidities [6] To this date, the SARS-CoV-2 mortality rate is greater than MERS and SARS combined and has a global Case Fatality Rate of about 6.4% [1]

Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.