Risk factors for oxygen requirement in hospitalized pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19

Abstract Objective: To identify risk factors for Oxygen (O2) needs in pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19. Methods: Prospective cohort involving pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 from April to October 2020. The oxygen need was analyzed regarding risk factors: demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory parameters at hospital admission, and chest Computer Tomography (CT) findings. Poisson univariate analysis was used to estimate the Relative Risk (RR) and 95% Confidence Intervals. Results: 145 patients, 80 who used and 65 who did not use O2, were included. Body mass index ≥ 30, smoking, and chronic hypertension increased the risk of O2 need by 1.86 (95% CI 1.10-3.21), 1.57 (95% CI 1.16‒2.12), and 1.46 (95% CI 1.09‒1.95), respectively. Patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 and for obstetric reasons had 8.24 (95% CI 2.8‒24.29) and 3.44 (95% CI 1.05‒11.31) times more use of O2 than those admitted for childbirth and abortion. Respiratory rate ≥ 24 breaths/min and O2 saturation < 95% presented RR for O2 requirements of 2.55 (1.82‒3.56) and 1.68 (95% CI 1.27-2.20), respectively. Ground Glass (GG) < 50% and with GG ≥ 50%, the risk of O2 use were respectively 3.41-fold and 5.33-fold higher than in patients who haven't viral pneumonia on CT. The combination of C-reactive protein ≥ 21 mg/L, hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL, and lymphopenia < 1500 mm3 on hospital admission increased the risk of O2 use by 4.97-times. Conclusions: In obstetric patients, clinical history, laboratory, clinical and radiological parameters at admission were identified as a risk for O2 need, selecting the population with the greatest chance of worsening. HIGHLIGHTS In unvaccinated pregnant and postpartum women, any need for oxygen supply increases the risk of invasive ventilation. Obesity, smoking and chronic arterial hypertension proved to be risk factors for the use of oxygen in pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19. The combination of C-reactive protein ≥ 21 mg/L, hemoglobin < 11.0 g/dL, and lymphopenia < 1500 mm on hospital admission and the presence of ground glass ≥ 50% in computer tomography increased the risk of O2 use by 4.97 and 5.33 times respectively in pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: An open prospective study of pregnant women in Brazil

Abstract Objectives: To determine the incidence and risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes according to SARS-CoV-2 infection severity in pregnant women. Method: Open prospective study of pregnant women tested for SARS-CoV-2 by serological and molecular assays during pregnancy or delivery in two hospitals in Sao Paulo, Brazil from April 12, 2020, to February 28, 2021. Five groups were considered for analysis: C0, negative COVID-19 results and no COVID-19 symptoms; C1, positive COVID-19 results, and no symptoms; C2, positive COVID-19 results with mild symptoms; C3, positive COVID-19 results with moderate symptoms; and C4, positive COVID-19 results with severe symptoms. The association between obstetric and neonatal outcomes and COVID-19 severity was determined using multivariate analysis. Results: 734 eligible pregnant women were enrolled as follows: C0 (n = 357), C1 (n = 127), C2 (n = 174), C3 (n = 37), and C4 (n = 39). The following pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were associated with severe COVID-19: oligohydramnios (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 6.18; 95% CI 1.87‒20.39), fetal distress (aOR = 4.01; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.84‒8.75), preterm birth (aOR = 5.51; 95% CI 1.47‒20.61), longer hospital stay (aOR = 1.66; 95% CI 1.36‒2.02), and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (aOR = 19.36; 95% CI, 5.86‒63.99). All maternal (n = 6, 15.4%, p < 0.001) and neonatal (n = 5, 12.5%, p < 0.001) deaths and most fetal deaths (n = 4, 9.8%, p < 0.001) occurred in C4 group. Moderate COVID-19 was associated with oligohydramnios (aOR = 6.23; 95% CI 1.93‒20.13) and preterm birth (aOR = 3.60; 95% CI 1.45‒9.27). Mild COVID-19 was associated with oligohydramnios (aOR=3.77; 95% CI 1.56‒9.07). Conclusion: Adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were associated with maternal symptomatic COVID-19 status, and risk increased with disease severity. HIGHLIGHTS COVID-19 increases the rates of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Serious cases are associated with oligohydramnios, fetal distress, prematurity, neonatal ICU admission, maternal and neonatal deaths. The maternal clinical status dictates obstetric and neonatal outcomes.

Pregnancy of unknown location

Pregnancy of unknown location is a situation in which a positive pregnancy test occurs, but a transvaginal ultrasound does not show intrauterine or ectopic gestation. One great concern of pregnancy of unknown location is that they are cases of ectopic pregnancy whose diagnosis might be postponed. Transvaginal ultrasound is able to identify an ectopic pregnancy with a sensitivity ranging from 87% to 94% and a specificity ranging from 94% to 99%. A patient with pregnancy of unknown location should be followed up until an outcome is obtained. The only valid biomarkers with clinical application and validation are serum levels of the beta fraction of hCG and progesterone. A single serum dosage of hCG is used only to determine whether the value obtained is above or below the discriminatory zone, that means the value of serum hCG above which an intrauterine gestational sac should be visible on ultrasound. Serum progesterone levels are a satisfactory marker of pregnancy viability, but they are unable to predict the location of a pregnancy of unknown location: levels below 5 ng/mL are associated with nonviable gestations, whereas levels above 20 ng/mL are correlated with viable intrauterine pregnancies. Most cases are low risk and can be monitored by expectant management with transvaginal ultrasound and serial serum hCG levels, in addition to the serum progesterone levels. To minimize diagnostic error and intervene during progressive intrauterine gestation, protocol indicates active treatment only in situations when progressive intrauterine pregnancy is excluded and a high possibility of ectopic pregnancy exists.

Live fetus inside the urinary bladder: a case report / Feto vivo dentro da bexiga urinária: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Vesicouterine fistula is a rare condition. Its incidence, however, has been increasing due to the higher incidence of cesarean sections. The presence of a live fetus inside the bladder who passed through a vesicouterine fistula is an extremely rare situation. We report a case of woman who underwent two previous cesarean sections, was referred to a hospital due to mild pelvic pain and genital bleeding. At the moment, physical examination was normal. Ultrasound scan revealed a gestational sac inserted into the anterior wall of the uterus, with a living fetus of approximately 13 weeks, with active body movement and normal heart rate inside it. The fetal abdomen, around the waist, was stuck at the opening of a vesicouterine fistula, so that the fetal head and trunk were entirely into the bladder cavity, while lower limbs remained at the uterine cavity. Laparotomy was performed, the fistulous tract was excised, the fetus (without heart beating) was removed on opening the bladder, and the uterine cavity was emptied. The defects in the bladder and uterus were repaired. The postoperative period was uneventful. A live fetus inside the urinary bladder is a rare condition the continuation of pregnancy is unlikely and the vesicouterine correction can be made by the time of surgical intervention.

RESUMO A fístula vesicouterina é uma condição rara. Sua incidência, no entanto, vem aumentando, devido à maior incidência de cesáreas. A presença de feto vivo dentro da bexiga por meio de uma fístula vesicouterina constutui situação extremamente rara. Relatamos o caso de uma mulher com duas cesarianas anteriores encaminhada para o hospital devido à dor pélvica leve e sangramento genital. Na hospitalização, o exame físico estava normal. A ultrassonografia revelou saco gestacional inserido na parede anterior do útero com feto vivo de aproximadamente 13 semanas, com movimento corporal ativo e frequência cardíaca normal. O abdômen fetal, ao redor da cintura, estava preso na abertura de uma fístula vesicouterina de modo que a cabeça e o tronco fetais estavam totalmente dentro da cavidade da bexiga, enquanto os membros inferiores permaneciam na cavidade uterina. A laparotomia foi realizada, o trajeto fistuloso foi excisado, o feto (que estava sem batimento cardíaco) foi removido ao abrir a bexiga, sendo a cavidade uterina esvaziada. Além disso, foram reparados os defeitos na bexiga e no útero. O pós-operatório transcorreu sem intercorrências. Feto vivo dentro da bexiga é uma condição rara, e a continuidade da gravidez é improvável, sendo que a correção vesicouterina pode ser feita no momento da intervenção cirúrgica.