Clinical characterisation and management outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: Literature on the antenatal and perinatal management and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa is gradually emerging but sparse. There is an urgent need to build up the knowledge base of COVID-19 infection in Nigerian pregnant women. The objective of the current study was to determine the clinical characteristics and management outcomes of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Methods: A one-year retrospective review of all cases of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy managed at the OAUTHC. Relevant data were extracted from the case records of all cases managed using a purpose-designed proforma. Data collected was analysed using IBM-SPSS, version 24. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using chi square, with level of significance set at <0.05.Results: A total of 22 cases were managed. Majority (15, 68.2%) of the women were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. The commonest symptom was cough (8, 36.4%). The mean duration of admission was 6.6±4.2 days. The most common maternal and perinatal complication was preterm delivery/birth (3, 13.6%). There was no maternal mortality. The mean birth weight of the babies was 3226g±597g, with mean 1- and 5- minutes Apgar scores of 8.0±1.3 and 9.5±0.6 respectively.Conclusions: Although COVID-19 infection in pregnancy is an asymptomatic or mild infection in the majority of cases in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, it is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Further studies are recommended to determine transplacental transmission of COVID-19 infection and antibodies.

COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy: A Case Series from Derna, Libya

“…] In this study the most frequent COVID-19 symptoms reported were cough, fever, headache, nausea/vomiting, and fatigue, have been corroborated by other studies [13,14]. In addition, nearly 50% of the patients were asymptomatic in Nigerian tertiary hospital [15].…”

“…However, from our study findings, COVID-19 infection in pregnancy was associated with adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. Preterm delivery/birth, the most common maternal/perinatal complication of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy reported in our study, may be a secondary complication of respiratory disease or directly induced by the viral infection [15]. COVID-19 can cause prelabour rupture of fetal membranes in the third trimester, leading to preterm labour [16].…”

“…The use of analgesics was not unconnected with the fact that headaches, abdominal, joint and body pains were common presentations. Antibiotics reduce complications and mortality by preventing secondary bacterial infections and strengthening immune support treatment, hence their routine use in our pregnant women [15,16]. It is recommended that empirical antibiotic regimens for patients with COVID-19 infection should follow local or/and national guidelines [19] Antibiotics administered to patients in our study included Azthromicin follow by Rociphine, Gentamicin, Mereonium and Flagyl.…”