Maternal COVID-19 infection, clinical characteristics, pregnancy,
neonatal outcome, and a review of (PPE) use: A prospective cohort study
Abstract
Objective: To study the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy, neonatal
outcomes; and the use of PPE amongst clinicians caring for COVID-19
patients. Design: Prospective cohort study Setting: A large tertiary
maternity unit within a university hospital with an average annual
>10,000 births. Population: A cohort of 23 pregnant women
including singleton and multiple pregnancies tested positive for
COVID-19 between February 2020 and April 2020 inclusive. Methods:
Analysis of prospectively collected data to assess the effect of
COVID-19 on pregnancy, neonatal outcomes; and staff use of PPE. Main
outcome Measures Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, and the
use of PPE when interacting with COVID-19 patients Results: 23 pregnant
women tested positive for COVID-19, delivering 20 babies. 16/23 (70%)
were women from Asian background. Nearly fifth of the patients (4/23)
developed severe respiratory complications requiring ICU support, one of
which was complicated by maternal death (4.3%). (48%) of the patients
had pre-existing co-morbidities, with diabetes being the most prevalent
(17.4%). (36.4%) of COVID-19 pregnancies had preterm deliveries,
(10.5%) respiratory distress, and pre-eclampsia. 16/23 (68%) of
patients delivered by C-section. Out of the 20 new-borns, there were no
cases of vertical transmission. FFP3 masks were not used by staff in
(28.8%) of cases with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Conclusion:
COVID-19 is associated with high prevalence of preterm birth,
preeclampsia, and caesarean section compared to non-COVID pregnancies.
There was no clinical evidence of vertical transmission to the
new-borns. PPE use was compliant with WHO recommendations. Funding N/A
Keywords COVID-19; maternal morbidity/mortality; neonatal
morbidity/mortality; PPE