Majeda Hammoud
Kuwait University, Kuwait
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Gen Med
Background: In late December of 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in the Chinese city Wuhan among a cluster of pneumonia patients. While it is known that pregnant women have reduced immunity and they are at risk for COVID-19 infection during this pandemic, but it was not clear if the disease manifestation would be different in pregnant women from non-pregnant women. Objectives: To describe the maternal and neonatal clinical features as well as outcome of pregnancies complicated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: In this retrospective national-based study, we analysed the medical records of all SARS-CoV-19 positive pregnant patients and their neonates who were admitted to the Covid- designated Hospital in Kuwait, between August 1st 2020 and October 31st, 2020. The outcomes of pregnancies were assessed until the end date of follow-up (November 30th 2020). Results: A total of 185 pregnant women were enrolled with a median age of 31 years (interquartile range, IQR: 27.5-34), and median gestational age at diagnosis was 29 weeks (IQR: 18-34). The majority (88%) of the Mothers had mild symptoms, with fever (58%) being the most common presenting symptoms followed by cough (50.6%). During the study period, 141 (76.2%) patients continued their pregnancy, 3 (1.6%) had a miscarriage, 1 (0.5%) had intrauterine fetal death, and 40 (21.6%) delivered live birth. Only 2 (1.1%) new-borns for these mothers developed severe pneumonia and required intensive care. Most of the neonates were asymptomatic, and only 2 (5%) of them tested positive on day 5 by nasopharyngeal swab testing. Conclusions: The clinical features of pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection were similar to those of the general population having SARS-CoV-2 infection. Favourable maternal and neonatal outcomes reinforce the existing evidence and may guide healthcare professionals in the management of pregnancies complicated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
