Study of Impact of Covid-19 on Pregnancy Outcome

Abstract

Background: This is a prospective, observational study done amongst the covid positive pregnant patients who are admitted and undergone intervention during the duration of SARS-CoV- between April 2020  and April 2021, and who delivered within the next 14 days at the government medical hospital  Bhavnagar were included and an observational prospective study conducted for their severity, maternal outcome and neonatal outcome.

Result: This study included a total of 74 patients diagnosed with covid positive status by RT-PCR method, 55 (73.33%)  patients had mild-moderate covid symptoms while 19 (26.7%) patients has severe covid symptoms which required either oxygen support or ICU admission. Out of these 55 patients,34 (61.82%)  patients had a normal vaginal delivery and out of this,7 (20.6%) had condition deterioration and required subsequent oxygen support, and 21(38.2%) patients had to undergo caesarean section for some obstetric indication and out of this 8 (38.1%) patients had condition deterioration with subsequent oxygen support requirement. in the mild-moderate symptoms group, 8.83% of patients had neonatal  ICU admission after normal delivery while it was 19% after caesarean section. In the severe covid group all those with spontaneous delivery still required ICU care with increased oxygen support. Of those who underwent CS due to obstetric cause, 33.34% of patients had increased oxygen requirements while 16.67% had to be admitted in ICU care.

Conclusion: Covid 19 infection posed a significant risk to a small proportion of pregnant women including an increased risk for critical diseases requiring ventilation support..COVID-19 is not an indication for caesarean section or induction of labour, the however second stage should be assisted in those with severe disease and caesarean section may be indicated to allow for proper ventilation supports or resuscitation.

Keywords: pregnancy, covid positive severity, caesarean section, vaginal delivery.