Maternal and fetal outcomes in cases of mild SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnant women at a tertiary teaching hospital: a retrospective observational study

Amol P. Pawar; Mohini S. Shinde; Swapnali G. Garude

doi:10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263033

Authors

Amol P. Pawar Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Mohini S. Shinde Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Swapnali G. Garude Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20263033

Keywords:

COVID-19, Fetal outcomes, Maternal outcomes, Mild infection, Pregnancy, Retrospective study, SARS-CoV-2, Vertical transmission

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges including for pregnant women, a physiologically vulnerable group. There is limited data specifically on mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections during pregnancy and their effect on maternal and fetal outcomes. To analyse maternal and fetal outcomes in cases of mild SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnant women hospitalized at a tertiary teaching hospital and to determine the rate of possible vertical transmission.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2022 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital. Data of 152 pregnant women with confirmed mild or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively analysed from medical records. Statistical analysis used Chi-Square test, Fisher’s Exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Significance was set at p≤0.05.

Results: A total of 152 hospitalized pregnant women were included. Majority (80.9%) were asymptomatic; 19.1% had mild symptoms (cough 5.3%, fever 4.6%). The live birth rate was 97.4%. LSCS was performed in 61.8% of cases. Perinatal COVID-19 infection was confirmed in only 1.3% of neonates (vertical transmission rate). NICU admission rate was 9.9%. Statistically significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic women were found in pulse rate (p=0.007), D-dimer levels (p=0.009), ECG findings (sinus tachycardia, p<0.0001) and neonatal birth weight (p=0.034). No significant differences were observed in mode of delivery, APGAR scores or NICU admission rates between the two groups.

Conclusions: Most pregnant women with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 had favourable maternal and fetal outcomes. Symptomatic women showed significantly higher D-dimer levels, pulse rates and lower birth weights, indicating a need for targeted monitoring. Vertical transmission was rare. Routine COVID-19 screening of all pregnant women remains essential.

Author Biographies

Amol P. Pawar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Head of unit in department of obstretrics and gynaecology

Mohini S. Shinde, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nowrosjee Wadia Maternity Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

junior resident in department of obstretrics and gynaecology

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