Post lockdown COVID-19 seroprevalence and circulation at the time of delivery, France

Abstract

Background To fight the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown has been decreed in many countries worldwide. The impact of pregnancy as a severity risk factor is still debated, but strict lockdown measures have been recommended for pregnant women. Objectives To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the seroprevalence and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in a maternity ward in an area that has been significantly affected by the virus. Study design Prospective study at the Antoine Béclère Hospital maternity ward (Paris area, France) from May 4 (one week before the end of lockdown) to May 31, 2020 (three weeks after the end of lockdown). All patients admitted to the delivery room during this period were offered a SARS-CoV-2 serology test as well concomitant SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on one nasopharyngeal sample. Results A total of 249 women were included. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 8%. The RT-PCR positive rate was 0.5%. 47.4% of the SARS-CoV-2-IgG-positive pregnant women never experienced any symptoms. A history of symptoms during the epidemic, such as fever (15.8%), myalgia (36.8%) and anosmia (31.6%), was suggestive of previous infection. Conclusions Three weeks after the end of French lockdown, SARS-CoV-2 infections were scarce in our region. A very high proportion of SARS-CoV-2-IgG-negative pregnant women, which is comparable to that of the general population, must be taken into consideration in the event of a resurgence of the pandemic. The traces of a past active circulation of the virus in this fragile population during the spring wave should encourage public health authorities to take specific measures for this independent at-risk group, in order to reduce viral circulation in pregnant patients.

The Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Europe: A Systematic Review

“…The third study estimated a seroprevalence of 8% among pregnant women admitted to the delivery room in France in May 2020 (42). Mattern et al found that the seroprevalence among pregnant women was similar to that of the general public (42).…”

“…Two of these studies are conducted in Italy between April -June 2020 reported a prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of 10.1% and 14.3% in pregnant women in their first trimester screening or at delivery (74,88). The third study estimated a seroprevalence of 8% among pregnant women admitted to the delivery room in France in May 2020 (42). Mattern et al found that the seroprevalence among pregnant women was similar to that of the general public (42).…”

Comparison of the clinical performance and usefulness of five SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests

“…To control the pandemic, diagnostic tests such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods were developed [ 1 ]. The results of these RT-PCR tests were used for taking political decisions such as imposing lockdown in several countries [ 2 , 3 ]. However, since RT-PCR tests are feasible only within three weeks since symptom onset, it is inconvenient for epidemiological investigations.…”

COVID-19 na assistência ao parto e nascimento

“…Artigos explicitaram desenvolvimento de conselhos internacionais para parteiras, outros profissionais de saúde e gerentes de serviços de saúde sobre o cuidado de mulheres e seus bebês durante o parto; adoção de um sistema paternalista de abordagem ao parto somado ao medo das gestantes; esclarecimento às suposições acerca do risco da COVID-19 no terceiro trimestre da gravidez; e estabeleceram um comparativo entre o número de gestantes e não gestantes que testaram positivo identificando de forma precoce de qualquer impacto psicológico que ocorra na gestação [7,[13][14][15][16].…”