COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Outcomes Among Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Literature Review

• Published in: The Pediatric infectious disease journal Vol. 40; no. 5; pp. 473 - 478
• Main Authors: Mark, Elyse G., McAleese, Samuel, Golden, W. Christopher, Gilmore, Maureen M., Sick-Samuels, Anna, Curless, Melanie S., Nogee, Lawrence M., Milstone, Aaron M., Johnson, Julia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-05-2021
• ISSN: 0891-3668; 1532-0987
• DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003102

Limited data are available about the outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and risk of vertical transmission in exposed neonates. We reviewed studies published February 1, 2020, through August 15, 2020, on outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 and neonates with perinatal exposure. Among pregnant women with COVID-19, 181 (11%) required ICU admission and 123 (8%) required mechanical ventilation. There were 22 maternal deaths. Most infections occurred in the third trimester. Among women who delivered, 28% had a preterm birth and 57% had a Caesarean section. Sixty-one (4%) of 1222 neonates with reported testing had at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The most common symptom among neonates was respiratory distress (n=126, 21%). There were 14 neonatal deaths, one of which occurred in a neonate with positive testing. Further study of COVID-19 in pregnant women and neonates, including standardized reporting of outcomes, testing, and treatment protocols, are essential to optimize maternal and neonatal care.