Thrombocytopaenia and COVID-19 infection during pregnancy increases the risk of preeclampsia: a multicentre study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is a low platelet count related to an increased risk of severe disease in pregnant women with active severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection? DESIGN: A cross-sectional multicentre study in pregnant women with COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, antigen test, antibody test, or all. RESULTS: A total of 153 pregnant women with COVID-19 were included in the study, of whom 12.4% had thrombocytopaenia. Pregnant women with thrombocytopaenia were on average 3.1 years older (95% CI 0.18 to 6.38) than women without thrombocytopaenia. Pregnant smokers had a higher risk of thrombocytopaenia than non-smokers (OR 6.55, CI 95% 1.29 to 33.13). B Rh negative (B Rh-) pregnant women had a much higher risk of thrombocytopaenia than pregnant women with other blood groups (OR 16.83, CI 95% 1.42 to 199.8). Pregnant women with thrombocytopaenia had a much higher risk of suffering from preeclampsia (OR 16.2, CI 95% 1.35 to 193.4). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 infection is not a risk factor for a low platelet count in pregnant women, although the risk is increased by smoking and in women with blood group B Rh-. In case of pregnancy with thrombocytopaenia, COVID-19 infection leads to an increased risk of preeclampsia.

Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Vaccine in Spain.

Different analyses show that the design of vaccination policies should especially protect the most vulnerable social groups, since the level of acceptance is determined by the population's knowledge, attitude and concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The objective of this work will be to detect the most socially vulnerable groups with respect to COVID-19 and to analyze the factors that influence predisposition to vaccination. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas (CIS) on the Effects and Consequences of Coronavirus (Study 3346 of December 2021). Sociodemographic variables (sex, age, employment status, studies and subjective class identification) were extracted, as well as the answers to the questions indicating the attitude towards vaccination, corresponding to questions 7,8,10 and 11 of the study. The most vulnerable group was lower class women (self-perceived), under 45 years of age with lower educational level, unemployed or performing unpaid work in the home. Most of them are not predisposed to vaccinate only because of the obligation to do so, mainly due to lack of belief in the power and efficacy of vaccines, as well as fear of health risks/collateral side effects. The lower vaccine uptake in this vulnerable population group may be due to a lack of awareness and lower trust in the authorities, as well as the benefits of the vaccine, which could be related to a lack of policy targeting the most socially vulnerable populations.

Older Adults and Positive Mental Health during the Second and Sixth COVID-19 Waves in Spain.

The spread of the COVID-19 virus was a worldwide phenomenon, which was unprecedented in modern times. The restriction measures can be perceived as a heavy burden for mental health during this period, particularly for some groups. The aim of this study is to examine a positive mental health model across ages, where a moderated mediation model is proposed involving sex differences and confidence in coping with COVID-19. Two independent samples were studied during the second and sixth waves in Spain: n = 2861 and n = 2462, respectively. The main conclusions can be described as follows: (i) while age was not related to mental health during the second wave, a positive relationship was found between it and the sixth one; (ii) age was positively related to the confidence in coping with COVID-19 during both of the waves; (iii) women showed worse scores for the variables in the study than the men did during the second wave, but this pattern was reversed in the sixth one; (iv) after a moderated mediation model on the relationship between age and positive mental health in terms of confidence in coping with COVID-19 and sex, an interaction was found for the second wave but not for the sixth one. These results suggest that older adults and women would develop more strategies and resources for a positive mental health across time.

COVID-19: Relationship and Impact on Breastfeeding-A Systematic Review.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). One major problem faced is whether breastfeeding by mothers infected with the virus is safe. The objective of this work is to study the impact that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can have on breastfeeding, and whether the virus or antibodies can be transmitted from mother to child through milk. We carried out a systematic review of studies focusing on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on breastfeeding by mothers infected with the virus. The bibliographic search was done through Medline (Pubmed), MedlinePlus and Google Scholar. From 292 records, the title and summary of each were examined according to the criteria, and whether they meet the selection criteria was also analysed. A total of 30 articles are included, of which 26 deal with the study of RNA virus in breastmilk and its involvement in breastfeeding and four on the study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in milk. Most studies have been conducted in China. Breastfeeding by mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 is highly recommended for infants, if the health of the mother and the infant allow for it. Direct breastfeeding and maintaining appropriate protective measures should be encouraged. Should the mother's health condition not permit direct breastfeeding, infants should be fed with pumped breastmilk or donor milk.