Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Patients with COVID-19: A Multicenter Study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. The presence of COVID-19 in a pregnant patient can raise concerns, as other types of coronaviruses were associated with many adverse outcomes. This study aims to study the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional cohort study within Central First Health Care Cluster (multicentric), Riyadh, included all pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy diagnosed as COVID-19-positive. The primary outcome is the severity of COVID during pregnancy in terms of ICU admission and mortality. The participants were divided into three groups (preterm less than 37 weeks, the term from 37 - 40 weeks, and late-term after 40 weeks. In addition, parameters included: Gestational age at diagnosis, symptoms at presentation (cough, fever), presence of congenital anomalies, IUFD, mode of delivery, presence of PPH, newborn Apgar score, cord PH, need for NICU admission, and the newborn becoming infected with COVID-19 were also measured as secondary outcomes. Results: One hundred pregnant, COVID-19-positive women met the inclusion criteria; the average age of participants was 31.2 years (SD ± 6.4). Asymptomatic patients represented 54% of participants. Most of the deliveries occurred at 36 weeks or less as preterm delivery. Cesarean sections represented 55% of our population. Four-term mothers (12.5%), more than 37 weeks, need ICU admission compared to 13 (25%) preterm cases diagnosed with preeclampsia. No maternal death. Conclusion: COVID-19 during pregnancy can increase ICU admission. A high rate of preterm labor, miscarriage, cesarean section, and newborn testing positive for COVID-19 were observed among our population. No congenital anomalies related to COVID-19 were observed.