COVID-19 Infection in Reproductive Age Group Females: Experience of a Tertiary Care Urban Teaching Hospital

Background: The objective of this study was to find out the effect, course of disease and management of the COVID-19 infection in pregnant women and compare it with non-pregnant population.

Method: This is a retrospective study done at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Science and Research (SVPIMSR), Smt. NHL MMC, Ahmedabad, from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. All COVID-19-positive patients were divided into two groups: group A was comprised of pregnant/postpartum and group B of non-pregnant patients.

Result: A total of 709 women (Group A-205, Group B-504) were included in the study, In group A 90% of patients were asymptomatic, while in group B 48% asymptomatic patients. Group A had 5.9% and group B had 13.1% patients having comorbidities. In group A, smaller number of patients had raised inflammatory markers as compared to group B. Only 4% patients of group A showed significant changes on chest X-ray as compared to 16% in group B. Only 2.9% patients of group A required intensive care unit admission as compared to 10.31% patients of group B. Mean hospital stay of group A was 10.6 days, and that of group B was 12.1 days.

Conclusion: In pregnancy, due to the physiological alterations in cardiovascular, respiratory and immune system, the pregnant women are vulnerable to infections. Although pregnancy is immunocompromised state, the severity of Coivd-19 disease is milder as compared to non-pregnant COVID-19-positive patients.