A Retrospective Cohort Study on Maternal and Neonatal Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of COVID-19: Does the Gestational Age Affect the Outcome?

Background To evaluate the maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and to see whether infection with COVID-19 before or after the 20th gestational week affects these outcomes. Methods We conducted a retrospective study with data from pregnant women who were followed up and delivered at Acibadem Maslak Hospital between April 2020 and December 2021. Their demographics and clinical data were reviewed and compared. Results Among 1223 pregnant women, 42 (3.4%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2-positive). Approximately 52.4% of the 42 pregnant women with COVID-19 were diagnosed during or before the 20th gestational week, while 47.6% were positive after the 20th gestational week. The preterm birth rate was 11.9% and 5.9% in infected and uninfected pregnant women, respectively (p>0.05). In the infected pregnant women, the rate of preterm rupture of membranes (PROM) was 2.4%, small for gestational age (SGA) was 7.1%, cesarean delivery was 76.2%, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was 9.5%. These rates among uninfected women were 0.9%, 9.1%, 61.7%, and 4.1%, respectively (p>0.05). Maternal ICU admission and intrapartum complications were higher in infected pregnant women (p>0.05). Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), neonatal infection, and fetal demise were absent in SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women. Having a high school or lower education level significantly increased the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy 10 times. Also, a one-week increase in gestational age significantly reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. When SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women were compared according to whether or not they were positive before or after the 20th gestational week, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of maternal outcomes, neonatal outcomes, and demographic characteristics. Conclusions COVID-19 during pregnancy did not adversely affect maternal and neonatal outcomes. Also, whether pregnant women were infected before or after the 20th gestational week did not have a negative impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, infected pregnant women should be followed closely, and they should be informed in detail about the possible adverse outcomes and the importance of precautions for COVID-19.