A Case Series of COVID-19 and Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 has been the largest public health crisis of our lifetime. Much of the morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19 has been due to lack of adequate research and understanding of the virus. In the absence of data for COVID-19, scientists have used evidence collected during other coronavirus outbreaks, including SARS and MERS, to forecast outcomes in different populations. Both of these coronavirus outbreaks were preferentially fatal in pregnant women, suggesting that COVID-19 may also have grave consequences for gravid women and their fetuses. Given that molecular studies have confirmed that COVID-19 enters cells through the ACE-2 receptor, which is also present on human placental cells, there is potential for COVID-19-induced abnormalities in the interface between mom and baby, leading to maternal-fetal morbidity or mortality. To date, several case series have demonstrated adverse perinatal outcomes in COVID-19-positive pregnant women, including placental abnormalities and pre-term birth; however, these studies have been limited in scale and scope. More data is needed to fully understand the implications of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy so that evidence- based treatment recommendations can be made to OB/GYNs caring for COVID+ patients.

Methods: We reviewed the charts of all of the pregnant women presenting for routine obstetric care to the UAP OB/GYN offices in Terre Haute, IN between Nov 2020 and Feb 2021. We identified 33 women who were pregnant at the time of COVID-19 infection. Data were input into a Qualtrics survey for ease of viewing the results.

Results/Conclusions: We are currently waiting for 6 (18%) of the patients in our sample to deliver in the next 4-6 weeks To date we have a sample of mostly Caucasian women infected in their 2nd and 3rd trimester. Here we evaluate their pre-, peri-, and immediate post-partum maternal and infant outcomes.