To Compare the Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of COVID-19-Affected Expectant Mothers During the First and Second COVID-19 Waves: Data From a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Punjab.

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, declared pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization, paved the way for newer research in the field of medicine. The second wave, beginning in March 2021, appeared to be more devastating. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics, effects of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy, and obstetric and perinatal outcomes in the first and second waves.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted from January 2020 to August 2021 at the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab. The patients were enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Demographic details of the patients, associated comorbid conditions, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and treatment details were noted. Neonatal outcomes were recorded. The testing of pregnant women was done as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines.

RESULTS

There were 3421 obstetric admissions and 2132 deliveries during this period. Group 1 had 123 COVID-19-positive admissions, while group 2 had 101 admissions. The incidence of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy was 6.54%. In both groups, the majority of patients were between the ages of 21 and 30. About 80(66%) of the admissions in group 1 and 46(46%) in group 2 were in the gestational age of 29-36 weeks. Multiparity was more common in both groups, with 58% of cases in group 1 and 79% of cases in group 2. Obstetric comorbidities were common in both groups, seen in 46% of cases in group 1 and 78% of cases in group 2. The majority of patients were asymptomatic in group 1, with an 89% incidence, whereas only 33% of patients in group 2 were without symptoms. In biological data, D-dimers, prothrombin time, and platelet count were altered in 11%, 14%, and 17% of cases, respectively, in group 2, with almost normal data in group 1. Most cases in group 2 (52%) were critical cases in the moderate and severe categories requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, whereas there was only single ICU admission in group 1. The overall case fatality rate (CFR) in group 2 was found to be 19.8(20/101).  Delivery by cesarean section was done in 38.2% of cases in group 1, while in 33% of cases in group 2, with a significant p-value of 0.001. About 29% of cases in group 1 and 34% of cases in group 2 underwent vaginal delivery. The rate of abortion was almost similar in both groups. Only two cases in group 1 and nine cases in group 2 had intrauterine fetal death. Observations of neonatal outcomes suggested that five cases in group 2 and two cases in group 1 had severe birth asphyxia. Only one case in group 1 and four cases in group 2 had positive COVID-19 status. Maternal mortality was significantly higher in group 2 with 20 cases, while only one case was in group 1. Anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension were the chief comorbidities in this group.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may be associated with maternal mortality while having a minimal effect on neonatal morbidity and mortality. The possibility of maternal-fetal transmission cannot be ruled out completely. The severity and characteristics of COVID-19 may vary in each wave, and we need to modify treatment strategies. More studies or meta-analyses reports are required to authenticate this transmission.