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Clinical Stratification of Pregnant COVID-19 Patients based on Severity: A Single Academic Center Experience

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe baseline characteristics of a cohort of pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and determine if these correlate with disease severity and perinatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: -value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Between March and July 2020, 91 women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon admission to our labor and delivery unit. Among these, 61.5% were asymptomatic, 34.1% were symptomatic, and 4.4% required oxygen support. Our population was mainly Hispanic (80.2%), multiparous (76.9%), obese (70.3%), and with a median age of 27 years. Median gestational age at symptom onset or diagnosis was 36 weeks. Significant differences were found between gestational age and disease severity. Maternal characteristics including age, body mass index (BMI), and presence of comorbid conditions did not appear to influence severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Significant laboratory findings associated with increasing disease severity included decreasing hemoglobin and white blood cell count, lymphopenia, and increasing levels of inflammatory markers including CRP, ferritin, and procalcitonin. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ among groups. No SARS-CoV-2 was detected by polymerase chain reaction testing in neonates of mothers with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection are predominantly asymptomatic. Patients appear to be at increased risk for more severe infection requiring oxygen support later in pregnancy. KEY POINTS: · The majority of pregnant patients with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and <1 in 20 require oxygen support.. · Women in the later stages of pregnancy may be at increased risk for severe infection.. · Anemia, leukopenia, CRP, ferritin, and procalcitonin are associated with increasing severity..

Source: American Journal of Perinatology

DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723761