COVID-19 and pregnancy: A review of clinical characteristics, obstetric outcomes and vertical transmission.
Elicia PettirossoMichelle Therese GilesStephen ColeMegan Anne ReesPublished in: The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology (2020)
Sixty articles were included in this review. Some pregnant participants may have been included in multiple publications, as admission dates overlap for reports from the same hospital. However, a total of 1287 confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant cases are reported. Where universal testing was undertaken, asymptomatic infection occurred in 43.5-92% of cases. In the cohort studies, severe and critical COVID-19 illness rates approximated those of the non-pregnant population. Eight maternal deaths, six neonatal deaths, seven stillbirths and five miscarriages were reported. Nineteen neonates were SARS-CoV-2 positive, confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs. [Correction added on 2 September 2020, after first online publication: the number of neonates indicated in the preceding sentence has been corrected from 'Thirteen' to 'Nineteen'.] CONCLUSIONS: Where universal screening was conducted, SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy was often asymptomatic. Severe and critical disease rates approximate those in the general population. Vertical transmission is possible; however, it is unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 positive neonates were infected in utero, intrapartum or postpartum. Future work should assess risks of congenital syndromes and adverse perinatal outcomes where infection occurs in early and mid-pregnancy.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- pregnant women
- pregnancy outcomes
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- preterm birth
- low birth weight
- early onset
- coronavirus disease
- emergency department
- healthcare
- preterm infants
- social media
- health information
- insulin resistance
- adipose tissue
- metabolic syndrome
- birth weight
- body mass index
- skeletal muscle
- glycemic control
- acute care