Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in a Preterm Pregnant Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Jul;136(1):46-51. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003949.

Abstract

Background: Data suggest that pregnant women are not at elevated risk of acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or developing severe disease compared with nonpregnant patients. However, management of pregnant patients who are critically ill with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is complicated by physiologic changes and other pregnancy considerations and requires balancing maternal and fetal well-being.

Case: We report the case of a patient at 28 weeks of gestation with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from COVID-19 infection, whose deteriorating respiratory condition prompted delivery. Our patient's oxygenation and respiratory mechanics improved within hours of delivery, though she required prolonged mechanical ventilation until postpartum day 10. Neonatal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM were negative.

Conclusion: We describe our multidisciplinary management of a preterm pregnant patient with ARDS from COVID-19 infection and her neonate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Live Birth
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology*
  • Premature Birth / therapy
  • Premature Birth / virology*
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods
  • SARS-CoV-2