Frequency and Fetomaternal Outcome in COVID 19 Positive Pregnant Women

Objective: To determine the frequency and outcome in pregnant women with COVID-19 infection.

Study Design: This is a observational cohort study.

Setting: Study carried out at Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Civil Hospital, Dow University of health sciences Karachi, from July 2020 to November 2021.

Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. Women having COVID-19 positive status during any stage of their pregnancy having antenatal visits in our hospital were included in our study. Maternal demographics, race, maternal outcome, and neonatal complications were noted on a self-made Performa. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 21 and descriptive statistics with frequencies were mainly calculated.

Results: During the defined time of 14 months, we had 143 women visiting antenatal outpatient department and were tested positive for COVID-19. Majority of the women were tested for COVID-19 due to symptoms like fever, flu, cough and diarrhea. The mean age of women in our study was found to be 30 ± 6.7 years. The most frequent maternal outcome with SARSCOV-2 was preterm delivery. Out of 143, 27 cases had emergency lower segment C-section.PCR testing of neonates was carried out and 8.39% (n=12) neonates tested positive for SARSCOV-2.

Conclusion: Infection with Covid-19 during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Covid-19 infection can be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. Neonatal has a high chance of being admitted to the ICU, and women also faces other complications of Covid 19, such as the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery.