Effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcome: A retrospective observational study in tertiary teaching hospital, India

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcome of pregnancies complicated with COVID-19 infection.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single center, observational study conducted on all COVID-19 positive pregnant women who were admitted in our institution from 1^st April 2020 to 30^th November 2020. During the study period, a total of 201 pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 infection confirmed by RT-PCR test, regardless of their symptoms, were admitted and included in the study. Data were collected from hospital records about the demographic profile, clinical characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Results: The mean age was 26 years (SD = 5.21). Majority patients (71.6%) were asymptomatic and 22.3% had mild symptoms. Only 4 (1.99%) women had severe COVID pneumonia. Majority (75.62%) were admitted in 3^rd trimester. Cesarean section rate in COVID-19 infected pregnant women was 53.8%, which was almost similar to 52.8% rate in COVID-19 negative pregnant population. Incidence of preterm birth was 11%. Most neonate were asymptomatic and only 2 of them tested positive on testing within 48 h of birth.

Conclusion: There is no major effect of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcome. The incidence of preterm birth and cesarean section is similar to COVID-19 negative pregnant population.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; maternal outcome; neonatal outcome; pregnancy.