Initial findings of universal testing for SAR-CoV-2 in women admitted
for delivery in North Wales: A prospective multicentre cohort study.
Abstract
Objective To describe the prevalence of overall and asymptomatic
SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women admitted for delivery at 3
maternity units in North Wales. Design A prospective multicentre cohort
study of universal testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection offered to all
pregnant women admitted for delivery. Setting 475 women admitted for
delivery in 3 maternity units in North Wales at Bangor, Bodelwyddan and
Wrexham between 3rd June and 2nd July 2020. Population 95.8% (n=475) of
all women admitted for delivery. Methods Testing performed by reverse
transcription-polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs with
concurrent universal screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19
infection. Main Outcome Measures Overall and asymptomatic prevalence of
SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women admitted for delivery. Results
The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women in
North Wales was 2.74% with an asymptomatic prevalence of 1.89%. 69%
of women infected with SARS-CoV-2 at delivery were asymptomatic.
Conclusions Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection are not reliably
identified using symptom and temperature screening as most infected
women are asymptomatic on admission. The prevalence of maternal
infection and asymptomatic carrier rates vary based on geographic
differences in disease prevalence. It is suggested that a trial period
of universal testing may help determine whether such an approach is
appropriate for an individual maternity unit. Funding – None Key words
Universal testing, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, pregnant women, delivery