Effect of COVID-19 Infection on Pregnancy

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women and their unborn babies. Understanding the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnancy is crucial for providing appropriate management and care. This study aimed to describe clinical, laboratory characteristics and maternal and fetal outcomes of third trimesteric pregnant women confirmed to have SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This prospective clinical study included 50 pregnant women aged 20 to 40 years, with gestational age ranging from 28 to 40 weeks. Results: The study population had a mean age of 29.74 years, with a majority being multipara. The most common clinical manifestations were fever (44 %), cough (64%), shortness of breath (32%), ICU admission in (22%) of cases in which (16%) needed mechanical ventilation, and (10%) were shocked. Laboratory findings revealed hematological abnormalities such as leukocytosis (52%), lymphopenia (60%), neutrophilia (52%), and thrombocytopenia (36%). Pregnancy outcome was bad in (8%) of cases with (2%) maternal mortality and (6%) neonatal mortality. As regard neonatal mortality statistics, according to UNICEF, it was 18 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021(1.8%). As regarded maternal mortality statistics, according to UNICEF, it was 223 deaths per 100,000 live births at 2020 (0.233%). Conclusions: COVID-19 infection during pregnancy has a negative effect on maternal and neonatal outcome regarding both mortality and morbidity concerns.