Usefulness of COVID-19 screen-and-test approach in pregnant women: an experience from a country with low COVID-19 burden

J Perinat Med. 2020 Oct 22;49(3):269-273. doi: 10.1515/jpm-2020-0368. Print 2021 Mar 26.

Abstract

Objectives: Information on the usefulness of screen-and-test strategies of pregnant women for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the Ljubljana Maternity Hospital database and searched for pregnant women, who were admitted to the hospital between March 15 and May 16, 2020, for a planned procedure or hospitalization. Their medical records were examined and SARS-CoV-2 test results were retrieved.

Results: During the two-month period analyzed, there were a total of 265 scheduled admissions of pregnant women to our hospital. Two hundred two (76.2%) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 1 day prior to admission. All tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, regardless of having coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-compatible signs or symptoms (n=28) or not (n=174).

Conclusions: In a population with a low SARS-CoV-2 burden, usefulness of universal testing of pregnant women before admission to the hospital is limited. We recommend that obstetric units in regions with low SARS-CoV-2 burden enforce rational use of personal protective equipment and diligent screening protocols using targeted questionnaires, whereas SARS-CoV-2 laboratory testing should be performed only in screen-positives: those with high clinical suspicion of COVID-19 and/or suspected epidemiological history.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pregnancy; screen-and-test.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis*
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing / methods*
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing / statistics & numerical data
  • Cost of Illness
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods
  • Infection Control / standards
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Mass Screening / standards
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / standards
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Prenatal Care / standards
  • Prenatal Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Quality Improvement
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Slovenia / epidemiology