Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy: What Obstetricians Need to Know

Abstract

(Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;222:415–426) As Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads across the globe, infecting more than the reported cases for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS) combined, this paper reviews relevant information on COVID-19 for practicing obstetricians. As little is known at this time about COVID-19, information on SARS and MERS and their effects on pregnancy is also reviewed.

Is the conclusion available? Letter to the Editor concerning the study of Prof. Jin titled “Clinical features and outcomes of pregnant women suspected of coronavirus disease 2019”

“…Therefore, strict isolation measures and procedures and early diagnosis for suspected pregnant women are essential in the epidemic area. This is exactly what the author has implemented and already achieved, like many other obstetricians 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 . It will also provide helpful information for other obstetricians who are currently experiencing the outbreak of COVID-19.…”

The impact of COVID-19 infection on the cytokine profile of pregnant women: A prospective case-control study

“…Confirmation of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was made by positive results on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens [15] . The severity of COVID-19 infection was made according to current guidelines [16] , [17] . Blood samples were collected from the participants along with the initial laboratory tests upon their first admission to the hospital.…”

The Multifaceted Impact of COVID‐19 on the Female Academic Emergency Physician: A National Conversation

“…Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 73% of all health care workers infected by COVID‐19 are female, although there is no current extrapolation of the exact percentage of those who are women physicians versus other disciplines 14,15 . In addition, pregnant mothers infected with COVID‐19 face greater risks, including preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, preeclampsia, and need for cesarean delivery for fetal distress 16–18 . So far, evidence has not shown vertical transmission of the novel coronavirus through breast milk; 19 however, concerns still remain among nursing mothers working in a hospital setting as to where and when to pump safely without risk of infection.…”