Clinical Features and Outcomes of 124 Pregnant Women Hospitalized with COVID-19: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Objective: Pregnancy is known to worsen the clinical course of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. The aim of this study is to evaluate maternofetal and neonatal clinical features and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19. Material and Methods: For this prospective single-center study, data of 124 pregnant women who were hospitalized and treated for COVID-19 between April 20, 2020 and March 20, 2021 were collected. Clinical, laboratory and obstetric characteristics of pregnant women during hospitalization were recorded. Results: Of the pregnant women, 61% were symptomatic while hospitalized. Nine of the pregnant women were admitted to the intensive care unit, 4 required invasive mechanical ventilation, and two died during the hospitalization associated with COVID-19. Abortion occurred in 3 pregnant women. As maternofetal outcomes, 18% of pregnant women had preterm labor and 10% had fetal distress. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test of 46 pregnant women was positive during delivery, and the PCR test of 37 pregnant women was negative. Neonatal intensive care unit was required in 19% of newborns. COVID-19 PCR was positive in 2 newborns. Non-COVID-19 related death was observed in 1 premature newborn. Conclusion: Pregnancies complicated by COVID-19 infection should be followed closely due to the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.