Clinical update onCOVID‐19 in pregnancy: A review article

Abstract

The data pertaining to the COVID‐19 pandemic has been rapidly evolving since the first confirmed case in December 2019. This review article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current data in relation to COVID‐19 and its effect on pregnant women, including symptoms, disease severity and the risk of vertical transmission. We also review the recommended management of pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID‐19 and the various pharmacological agents that are being investigated and may have a role in the treatment of this disease. At present, it does not appear that pregnant women are at increased risk of severe infection than the general population, although there are vulnerable groups within both the pregnant and nonpregnant populations, and clinicians should be cognizant of these high‐risk groups and manage them accordingly. Approximately 85% of women will experience mild disease, 10% more severe disease and 5% critical disease. The most common reported symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath and diarrhea. Neither vaginal delivery nor cesarean section confers additional risks, and there is minimal risk of vertical transmission to the neonate from either mode of delivery. We acknowledge that the true effect of the virus on both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality will only be evident over time. We also discuss the impact of social isolation can have on the mental health and well‐being of both patients and colleagues, and as clinicians, we must be mindful of this and offer support as necessary.

Clinical Profile, Viral Load, Maternal-Fetal Outcomes of Pregnancy With COVID-19: 4-Week Retrospective, Tertiary Care Single-Centre Descriptive Study

“…12 Other symptoms, including nasal congestion, rash, sputum production, headache, malaise and loss of appetite were reported in less than 5% of cases 14 It has been suggested that the limited data currently available does not indicate that pregnant individuals are at an increased risk of infection, severe morbidity or mortality compared with non pregnant individuals in the general population. 18 In current cohort five women (8.7 %) who were admitted in ICU had comorbidities as moderate anaemia, severe thrombocytopenia, chronic hypertension with medical renal disease, and malignancy. Whether COVID19 increases the risk of severe morbidity and mortality in high risk pregnancies is a question to be answered.…”

Addressing the challenges that affect COVID-19 prevention in the rural areas of Abia State, Nigeria

“…[23][24][25][26] In another study, 21 percent of residents in the community have had COVID-19 antibodies already, making the area not just the deadliest community for COVID-19 pandemic infection but also the most infected area and, by outcome, the farthest to herd immunity. 27,28 In similar studies, about 32 percent of individuals who were tested for COVID-19 infection have already had the antibodies, which showed that in the area, the disease was not as severe as it might have seemed at first glance, and the community as a whole was halfway to herd immunity. It was observed that the extent of exposure was very dreadful, showing that much more infection is almost inevitably.…”

Pregnant women’s knowledge and practice of preventive measures against COVID-19: a study from Mysore city, Karnataka, India

“…Cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste are other relevant symptoms. 6 Over and above the impact of COVID-19 infection on a pregnant woman, there are concerns relating to the potential effect on fetal and neonatal outcome; poor practices of preventive measures among pregnant women would put these women at high risk of infection, which could worsen the country's maternal morbidity and mortality profile. 2 Therefore, pregnant women require special attention in relation to education about prevention, mode of diagnosis, and methods in management.…”