Identifying the Risk Factors of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes among Women with COVID-19: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Southern Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnant women and their fetuses are considered as high-risk groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with COVID-19.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted among pregnant women who delivered live infants at least 60 days before data collection in Hormozgan Province, south of Iran, 2021. The case and control groups included women with and without the history of COVID-19, respectively. A 47-item checklist including demographic information of the mothers, maternal current and past medical history, maternal and fetal prenatal and post-natal outcomes; and other COVID-19 related outcomes was used. The logistic regression analysis was used for data analysis.

Results: A total of 1337 women (668 in case and 669 in control groups) participated in this study. The mean (SD) gestational age in the case and control groups were 32.83 (84.64) and 23.75 (6.93) weeks respectively. Maternal age and the incidence of abortion, obesity, and multiple pregnancies was higher in the COVID-19 group compared with the control group. The most common COVID-19 symptoms were myalgia (24.8%), cough (19.3%), fever (17.5%) and olfactory disorder (14.3%). The preventive factors against COVID-19 adverse pregnancy outcomes were low and normal body mass index, influenza vaccination history, and multivitamin consumption, while the risk factors were multiple pregnancies, abortion and preterm labor.

Conclusion: This study showed that pregnant women were to COVID-19. The identified risk factors for COVID-19 adverse pregnancy outcomes can be used to prioritized pregnant women in receiving COVID-19 related health services.