The course of infection with the Delta variant of COVID-19 in pregnancy: Analysis of clinical, laboratory, and neonatal outcomes.

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effects of infection with the Delta variant of COVID-19 on the clinical course, laboratory parameters, and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women. A total of 96 pregnant women who tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19 were retrospectively examined. The pregnant women were divided into three groups as follows: asymptomatic, non-severe, and severe. Age, obstetric history, symptoms and findings, blood tests, medication and vaccination history, clinical course, and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women were analyzed. Pregnant women who tested positive for the Delta variant of COVID-19 had an ICU admission rate of 9.4% and a mortality rate of 5.2%. Pregnant women in the severe disease group had significantly higher rates of preterm birth and cesarean section compared with the non-severe and asymptomatic group. Pregnant women in the severe group had high c-reactive protein (CRP) levels at the time of admission. White blood cell (WBC) and procalcitonin levels increased in clinical follow-up in pregnant women in the severe group. The Delta variant of COVID-19 was found to increase mortality rates in pregnant women compared to pre-Delta variants of COVID-19. In pregnant women infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19, advanced gestational age at diagnosis, high CRP, WBC, and procalcitonin levels were significantly correlated with poor prognosis. Pregnant women infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19 had an increased risk for preterm delivery and cesarean section in the presence of severe disease. Although newborns of women with severe disease were found to have significantly higher rates of ICU admission, there was no significant difference in neonatal mortality rates. We recommend close monitoring of CRP, WBC, and procalcitonin levels in addition to symptoms in pregnant women infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19 in the third trimester.