ABSTRACT
Introduction: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has affected the pregnant women and newborn child across the world. Empirical data shows that the characteristic of the effect of COVID-19 virus varies between the subsequent wave. Aim: To compare the demographic characteristics, severity of illness, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admissions, maternal and neonatal outcomes in COVID-19 positive pregnant women of first and second wave. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at dedicated COVID-19 Hospital under Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India. All COVID-19 positive pregnant women admitted between July 2020 and August 2021 were included in the study. The patients admitted during 1st July 2020 to 31st January 2021 were considered in 1st wave of COVID-19 and those from 1st February 2021 to 31st August 2021 as 2nd wave of COVID-19. Data of baseline characteristics, clinical presentations, severity, ICU admissions, abortion, modes of delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission, maternal and neonatal mortality were analysed and compared. Results: A total of 144 COVID-19 positive pregnant women admitted from July 2020 to August 2021 were included in the study. Of 144 patients, 58 were in first wave and 86 in second wave of COVID-19. Number of moderate and severe cases admitted was 23.3% and 7% during second wave compared to only 12.1% moderate case only in first wave (p-value=0.015). Three pregnant women died due to severe COVID-19 pneumonia during the second wave. NICU admissions and other neonatal outcomes were comparable in both the study groups. Conclusion: A significantly increase number of pregnant women were affected with severe COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in second wave. Neonatal outcomes were similar in both waves.