The role of eosinophil as a diagnostic, differential, and prognostic marker for Covid-19 during pregnancy: Case-control study from tertiary center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the level of eosinophil count in Covid-19 pregnant patients as a cost-effective tool for aiding in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis and, to assess whether eosinopenia could be similar or superior to lymphopenia in pregnancy with Covid-19. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study was conducted including pregnant women tested simultaneously for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR and complete blood count (CBC). Eosinophil counts (EOS), lymphocytes (LYM), neutrophils (NEU) with calculation of EOS/LYM ratio, EOS/NEU ratio, NEU/LYM ratio, LYM/NEU ratio (LNR), eosinopenia, and lymphopenia were compared between the groups. ROC analysis was performed for determination of optimal cut-off values and comparative analysis between AUC were performed using the paired sample design. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting the categorical variables. RESULTS: Four thousand two hundred sixteen pregnant women were included in the final analysis of which (n = 845) as healthy control group, (n = 1482) as non Covid-19 patient group and (n = 1889) as Covid-19 group. Covid-19 group was divided into three subgroups based on severity. To diagnose and distinguish Covid-19 from other infectious conditions, EOS had better performance with higher area under curve (AUC) (0.769 and 0.757 AUC, respectively, p < 0.001). Categorically, eosinopenia had better diagnostic (Covid-19 vs. healthy), prognostic (severe-critical vs. mild-moderate), and differential diagnostic (Covid-19 vs. non Covid-19) performance than lymphopenia (OR = 5.5 vs. 3.4, OR = 3.4 vs. 1.8, OR = 5.4 vs. 2.7 p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Eosinopenia is a low-cost, reliable, and convenient marker for Covid-19 not only in diagnosis, but also in prognosis by acting as an early marker for predicting severe-critical cases.

Adverse outcomes and maternal complications in pregnant women with severe-critical COVID-19: a tertiary center experience.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to present perinatal outcomes, clinical challenges, and basic ICU management in pregnant women with severe-critical COVID-19 at our tertiary referral center. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, patients were divided into two groups, whether they survived or not. Clinical characteristics, obstetric and neonatal outcomes, initial laboratory test results and radiologic imaging findings, arterial blood gas parameters at ICU admission, and ICU complications and interventions were compared between groups. RESULTS: 157 of the patients survived, and 34 of the patients died. Asthma was the leading health problem among the non-survivors. Fifty-eight patients were intubated, and 24 of them were weaned off and discharged healthfully. Of the 10 patients who underwent ECMO, only 1 survived (p<0.001). Preterm labor was the most common pregnancy complication. Maternal deterioration was the most common indication for a cesarean section. Higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte-ratio (NLR) values, the need for prone positioning, and the occurrence of an ICU complication were important parameters that influenced maternal mortality (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight pregnant women and pregnant women with comorbidities, especially asthma, may have a higher risk of mortality related to COVID-19. A worsening maternal health condition can lead to increased rates of cesarean delivery and iatrogenic prematurity.

Pregnancy and COVID-19: prevention, vaccination, therapy, and beyond

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has alarmed the world since its first emergence. As pregnancy is characterized by significant changes in cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and immunological systems, there are concerns on issues like the course of disease in pregnant women, safety of medications, route of delivery and risk of obstetric complications. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literature in the management of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although more than 90% of pregnant women with COVID-19 recover without serious morbidity, rapid deterioration of disease and higher rates of obstetric complications may be observed. The risk of vertical transmission has not been clearly revealed yet. Decreasing the number of prenatal visits, shortening the time allocated for the examinations, active use of telemedicine services, limiting the number of persons in healthcare settings, combining prenatal tests in the same visit, restricting visitors during the visits, providing a safe environment in healthcare facilities, strict hygiene control, and providing personal protective equipment during the visits are the main strategies to control the spread of disease according to current guidelines. Although new medication alternatives are being proposed every day for the treatment of COVID-19, our knowledge about the use of most of these drugs in pregnancy is limited. Preliminary results are promising for the administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in the pregnant population. Timing of delivery should be decided based on maternal health condition, accompanying obstetric complications and gestational age. Cesarean delivery should be performed for obstetric indications. Breast feeding should be encouraged as long as necessary precautions for viral transmission are taken. In conclusion, an individualized approach should be provided by a multidisciplinary team for the management of pregnant women with COVID-19 to achieve favorable outcomes.

The utility of systemic immune-inflammation index and systemic immune-response index in the prediction of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019: Analysis of 2649 cases.

AIM: To investigate the association of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic immune-response index (SIRI) with adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The cases were divided into (1) the Mild-moderate COVID-19 group (n = 2437) and (2) the Severe-critical COVID-19 group (n = 212). Clinical characteristics, perinatal outcomes, SII (neutrophilXplatelet/lymphocyte), and SIRI (neutrophilXmonocyte/lymphocyte) were compared between the groups. Afterward, SII and SIRI values were compared between subgroups based on pregnancy complications, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, and maternal mortality. A receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed for the determination of optimal cutoff values for SII and SIRI in the prediction of COVID-19 severity, pregnancy complications, NICU admission, and maternal mortality. RESULTS: Both SII and SIRI were significantly higher in complicated cases (p < 0.05). Cutoff values in the prediction of severe-critical COVID-19 were 1309.8 for SII, and 2.3 for SIRI. For pregnancy complications, optimal cutoff values were 973.2 and 1.6. Cutoff values of 1045.4 and 1.8 were calculated for the prediction of NICU admission. Finally, cut-off values of 1224.2 and 2.4 were found in the prediction of maternal mortality. CONCLUSION: SII and SIRI might be used in combination with other clinical findings in the prediction of poor perinatal outcomes.

Fetal neurosonography in pregnant women recovering from COVID-19 disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on fetal neurodevelopment in pregnant women. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 54 pregnant women at least 4 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 infection and 58 controls. In the third trimester, the depths of the fetal insula, Sylvian, parieto-occipital, and calcarine fissures, the length of cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), and the thickness of the corpus callosum (CC) were measured. Sylvian fissure operculization and cortical development were graded. The correlation analysis between fetal cortical development and Sylvian fissure operculization was performed with the Pearson test. RESULTS: The calcarine fissure depth and CC thickness were reduced in the study group (P < 0.001, P = 0.004). The fetal CSP length and ratio were increased in the study group (P = 0.016, P = 0.039). Approximately half of the study group fetuses had grade 4 or less Sylvian fissure operculization. The study group had a significantly higher rate of fetuses with grade 2 (31.5% vs. 13.8%) and significantly lower rate of fetuses with grade 4 cortical development (14.8% vs. 31.0%), compared with the controls. There was a moderate negative significant correlation between pregnant women recovering from COVID-19 and fetal cortical development and Sylvian fissure operculization (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to investigate fetal cortical development in pregnant women recovering from COVID-19. The results indicate that COVID-19 disease may affect fetal neurodevelopment.

The impact of covid-19 on thyroid function tests in pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection on thyroid function tests (TFTs) in pregnant women and to evaluate whether TFT changes are related to the severity and prognosis. METHODS: Consecutive pregnant women tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR at Ankara City Hospital were recruited between January 2021 and September 2021. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO), and thyroglobulin antibody (anti-TG) were measured on admission. RESULTS: Among 747 eligible pregnant women with the same baseline characteristics, 369 RT-PCR-positive women in the patient group and 378 RT-PCR-negative women in the control group were included in the analyses. Pregnant women in the patient group had significantly lower TSH, FT4, FT3, Anti TPO, and Anti TG concentrations compared with those in the control group (p < 0.001). The proportion of patient groups with mild, moderate, severe, and critical diseases were 297 (80.4%), 40 (10.8%), 17 (4.6%), and 15 (4.2%), respectively, among which with the moderate, severe, and critical disease had significantly lower FT3 values (2.5 vs 2.19 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and higher nonthyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) (29.2 vs. 8.4%, p < 0.001) than those with mild disease. Lower FT3 values increased the risk of ICU admission, NICU admission, and severe disease (p < 0.001). FT3 and TSH correlated positively with lymphocytes (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (p < 0.001, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to have an impact on the TFTs of pregnant women, and particularly FT3 level seems to be correlated with disease severity.

Comparison of cord blood pro-BNP levels in newborns of SARS-COV-2-positive and -negative women, and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare umbilical cord blood pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in newborns of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) positive pregnancies to those of SARS-COV-2 negative pregnancies. METHODS: Prospectively cord blood samples from newborns of 42 SARS-COV-2 positive women, and 42 negative pregnant were collected at birth and analyzed for pro-BNP levels. RESULTS: The mean cord blood pro-BNP level was significantly higher in newborns of SARS-COV-2 positive women than in controls. Furthermore, the pro-BNP level was an independent predictor of NICU admission in both SARS-COV-2 positive and control patients. CONCLUSION: Cord blood pro-BNP level may be a parameter that can predict the under-stress fetus and adverse perinatal outcomes especially, in cases where placental involvement is present as in SARS-COV-2 infection.

The Impact of Elevated Liver Enzymes and Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy on the Course of COVID-19 in Pregnant Women.

This study aims to investigate the perinatal outcomes in COVID-19 pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and elevated liver enzymes. Present study was carried out on pregnant women with COVID-19 between March 11, 2020, and August 11, 2021. Patients with liver enzyme levels higher than twice the upper limit of the reference range for aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were included. Patients with unexplained pruritus and elevated fasting biliary acid (FBA) levels were considered ICP. The remaining cases were used as the control group. There were a total of 1751 patients in the study period. Among them, 126 had elevated liver enzymes. Nineteen of these cases had also ICP. AST and ALT values were statistically higher in the ICP group. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes were similar between the groups. The rate of ICP in pregnant women with COVID-19 was similar to the literature in this study. Although the preterm delivery rates for both groups were higher than in the current literature, the preterm delivery rates in the study and control groups were similar. Elevated liver enzymes can be observed in pregnant women with COVID-19 with higher rates of preterm delivery compared to the previous literature. However, the diagnosis of ICP in addition to elevated liver enzymes seems to have no significant impact on the perinatal outcomes. Future studies conducted on larger populations are necessary to confirm these results.

The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on intrauterine fetal demise and possible vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: The impact of COVID-19 on intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) and vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 from the mother to the fetus are crucial issues of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the current study, we aimed to detect the pandemic's influence on the IUFD and evaluate the vertical transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 through analysis of placental tissues collected from PCR positive women with IUFD above 20 weeks of gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pregnant women above 20 weeks of gestation and had a fetus intrauterine demised during pandemic were included in the study. The pregnant women screened for COVID-19. Vertical transmission searched from placental tissues of COVID-19 positive women by RT-PCR tests for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The number of IUFD before the pandemic and during the pandemic compared to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the IUFD ratio. RESULTS: Among 138 pregnant women with IUFD, 100 of them could screen for COVID-19 status. RT-PCR test results of 6 of the screened pregnant women were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Placental tissues of these six women were analyzed, and one test result was positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The IUFD ratio was significantly increased during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: It is clear that COVID-19 increases the IUFD ratio. Previous data for vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the second trimester is limited. We present the third case of literature that has positive placental results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the second trimester of pregnancy.

Point shear wave velocity(pSWV) evaluation of the placenta of pregnant women who had recovered from COVID-19: A prospective cohort study from a tertiary pandemic center.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the placental elasticity using point shear wave velocity (pSWV) in pregnant women who had recovered from coronavirus COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 40 pregnant women who had recovered from moderate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 40 healthy pregnant women were included in this study. We evaluated placental elasticity by using transabdominal pSWV method. Three measurements were made, and their average was accepted as the mean placental velocity value in each case. The results were compared between the post-COVID-19 and control groups. RESULTS: The mean pSWV values were significantly higher in the post-COVID-19 group compared to the control group, indicating that the women with a history of COVID-19 had stiffer placentas. Furthermore, the pSWV values were significantly and positively correlated with the uterine artery pulsatility index. We also found that the NICU requirement was statistically higher in the post-COVID 19 group. DISCUSSION: The pregnant women who had recovered from COVID-19 had rigid placentas than the healthy controls. The use of pSWV for the assessment of placental velocity may provide valuable information in the diagnosis and management of post-COVID-19 patients as a complementary tool to the existing ultrasonography methods.

The Ímpact of Elevated Liver Enzymes and Íntrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy on the Course of COVID-19 in Pregnant Women

This study aims to investigate the perinatal outcomes in COVID-19 pregnant women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and elevated liver enzymes. Present study was carried out on pregnant women with COVID-19 between March 11, 2020, and August 11, 2021. Patients with liver enzyme levels higher than twice the upper limit of the reference range for aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and/or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were included. Patients with unexplained pruritus and elevated fasting biliary acid (FBA) levels were considered ICP. The remaining cases were used as the control group. There were a total of 1751 patients in the study period. Among them, 126 had elevated liver enzymes. Nineteen of these cases had also ICP. AST and ALT values were statistically higher in the ICP group. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes were similar between the groups. The rate of ICP in pregnant women with COVID-19 was similar to the literature in this study. Although the preterm delivery rates for both groups were higher than in the current literature, the preterm delivery rates in the study and control groups were similar. Elevated liver enzymes can be observed in pregnant women with COVID-19 with higher rates of preterm delivery compared to the previous literature. However, the diagnosis of ICP in addition to elevated liver enzymes seems to have no significant impact on the perinatal outcomes. Future studies conducted on larger populations are necessary to confirm these results.

An evaluation of the results of convalescent plasma therapy applied to pregnant women diagnosed as COVID-19- positive in a pandemic center: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP) might be an additional treatment modality in COVID-19. The aim of this study was to compare CP-related clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with mild or moderate-severe COVID-19. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 36 pregnant women (12 mild and 24 moderate-severe), who underwent CP therapy. The CP obtained from recently recovered donors was transfused to patients together with maximum supportive care and antiviral agents. The groups were then compared in respect of clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, obstetric complications, and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Significant differences were determined between the groups in respect of systemic corticosteroids in COVID-19 treatment (41.7%, 87.5%, p = 0.004), oxygen (O2) support (0%, 91.7%, p < 0.001), chest imaging (41.7%, 58.3%, p = 0.02), intensive care unit admission (0%, 20.8%, p = 0.03) and length of hospitalization (5.5 versus 9.5 days, p < 0.001). The O2 saturation levels before and after administration of CP were significantly lower in the moderate-severe COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). The O2 therapy time before and after administration of CP and total O2 therapy time were significantly lower in the mild COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). Platelet, plateletcrit and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in both the mild and moderate-severe COVID-19 groups after treatment compared to the pretreatment values (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: Although data on the results of CP treatment in pregnant women are somewhat limited, it has been suggested that early CP treatment may be associated with improvements in laboratory and ventilatory parameters in pregnant women with mild and moderate-severe COVID-19. Nevertheless, there is a need for further, randomized controlled studies on this subject with the inclusion of greater numbers of patients.

Decreased fetal cardiac output in pregnant women with severe SARS-Cov-2 infection.

AIM: We aimed to examine fetal cardiac output (CO) in patients who recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. MATERIALS: This prospective study included 48 pregnant women recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection and 50 control cases. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in patients. Fetal echocardiographic evaluations were performed at 24-37 weeks of gestation in pregnant women who recovered from the infection and control group. RESULTS: The median value of ultrasound evaluation was 34 (2.6) weeks of gestation in the recovery from the SARS-CoV-2 infection (RSI) group, and 32 (7.6) weeks in the control group (p = .565). Left cardiac output (LCO) z score was significantly lower in the RSI group than the control group (p = .041). LCO and combine cardiac output (CCO) z score were significantly lower in the severe disease group than mild, moderate disease groups, and controls (p = .019 and p = .013). CCO (ml/min/kg) was decreased in the severe disease group when compared with control and mild disease groups (p = .044). CONCLUSION: In the present study, fetal cardiac output in pregnant women who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection was found to be significantly reduced in those with severe disease, while there was no significant difference in mild and moderate cases. Placental dysfunction and inflammatory cytokines might cause fetal cardiac changes. Further studies could be clarified on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal cardiac function.

Treatment cost of chest diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic: Case analysis at the Düzce University Hospital.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to determine the cost of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) patients who were treated as outpatients and inpatients at Düzce University Health Application and Research Center (DUHARH) Chest Diseases Clinic before and after the pandemic from the perspective of the Social Security Institution (SSI). Materials and Methods: The study included 26.438 patients who applied to the Chest Diseases clinic in DUHARH before the COVID-19 pandemic (March 10 2019-March 10 2020) and after (March 11 2020-March 11 2021) and 2.971 patients who were hospitalized in the service. A sample was not selected in the research, and the entire universe was included in the study. The data obtained retrospectively were analyzed from bottom to top and through document analysis management. Frequency and percentage calculations, Spearman Correlation analysis, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to evaluate the data. Result: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average unit cost in the policlinic was 46.14 TL/patient ($8.14/patient), and the average unit cost was 64.69 TL/ patient ($9.23/patient) after the COVID-19 pandemic. The average cost of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic service was calculated as 1.139,64 TL/patient ($200/patient). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the average unit cost in the service was 2.136,27 TL/patient ($304.75/patient). A statistically significant difference in terms of costs was found between the two periods. It was determined that the costs of COVID-19 patients changed in terms of length of stay, age, and sex (p<0.05). Conclusions: Even though the number of patients in the Chest Diseases clinic has decreased during the pandemic process, the costs have increased due to the high cost of COVID-19 patients and the patients needing advanced examination and treatment in this period. For this reason, patients need to apply to the relevant unit early.

Post-COVID-19 fetal cardiac evaluation in moderate infection group of pregnant women.

PURPOSE: To determine the long-term fetal cardiac effects of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women recovered from moderate COVID-19 with fetal echocardiography (ECHO). METHODS: Forty-five pregnant women that recovered from moderate COVID-19 (CRG) 4 weeks after the infection confirmation, were compared with 45 gestational and maternal age-matched control groups (CG) in terms of demographic features fetal cardiac morphological (sphericity index, cardiothoracic ratio), and functional (myocardial performance index, mitral E/A, tricuspid E/A, mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) parameters. RESULTS: There was no difference in demographic features between the groups. Fetal cardiac morphologic parameters were found to be similar between the two groups. When the fetal cardiac functional assessment of the two groups was compared, only mitral E/A ratio results were found to be statistically significantly lower in the CRG than in the control group (p = 0.030). CONCLUSION: The fetal heart does not seem to be negatively affected by COVID-19 after recovery from moderate infection. These results about the fetal effect of SARS-CoV-2 may improve our limited knowledge of the utility of fetal ECHO in pregnant women who recovered from COVID-19.

The Association of Serum Electrolytes with Disease Severity and Obstetric Complications in Pregnant Women with COVID-19: a Prospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Reference Center.

Introduction To evaluate the association of serum electrolytes with disease severity and obstetric complications in pregnant women with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19. Study population was divided into two groups: 1) Mild COVID-19 group (n = 811) and 2) Moderate/severe COVID-19 group (n = 52). Demographic features, clinical characteristics, obstetric complications, and serum electrolytes were compared between the groups. Afterward, a correlation analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum electrolyte disturbances with COVID-19 severity and obstetric complications. Results Highest serum sodium, hypernatremia, potassium replacement, hypopotassemia, hyperchloremia, initial serum magnesium, hypermagnesemia, and hypocalcemia were significantly higher in the moderate/severe COVID-19 group. The lowest serum sodium, lowest serum potassium, and initial serum calcium were significantly higher in the mild COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were found between hypernatremia, hypopotassemia, hyperchloremia, hypermagnesemia, hypocalcemia and COVID-19 severity (r values were 0.27, 0.20, 0.12, 0.18 and 0.12, p values were < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant positive weak correlations were found between hypopotassemia, hypochloremia, hypermagnesemia, and obstetric complications (r values were 0.10, 0.10, and 0.28, p values were 0.004, 0.03, and 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant negative weak correlation was found between hypomagnesemia and obstetric complications (r = - 0.23 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Electrolyte disturbances in pregnant women with COVID-19 seem to be associated with disease severity and obstetric complications.

An evaluation of maternal serum dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia modified albumin changes in pregnant women with COVID-19.

Objective: It is thought that oxidative stress, free radicals, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species affect the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate the oxidative status in pregnant patients with COVID-19 infection according to the changes seen in the levels of maternal serum thiol-disulfide and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA). Materials and Methods: A study group was formed of 40 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection (study group) and a control group of 40 healthy pregnant women with no risk factors determined. In this prospective, case-controlled study, analyses were made of the maternal serum native thiol, total thiol, disulfide, IMA, and disulfide/native thiol concentrations. Results: The maternal serum native thiol and total thiol concentrations in the study group were determined to be statistically significantly lower (p=0.007 and p=0.006, respectively), and the disulfide/native thiol ratio was higher but not to a level of statistical significance (p=0.473). There was no difference between the two groups regarding IMA levels (p=0.731). Conclusion: The thiol-disulfide balance was seen to shift in the oxidant direction in pregnancies with COVID-19, which might support the view that ischemic processes play a role in the etiopathogenesis of this novel disease.

Experience of a tertiary pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of 337 pregnant women with COVID-19: a prospective cohort study from Turkey.

The aim of the present study is to share the experience of a tertiary reference pandemic centre on the labour and delivery of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with COVID-19 (n = 337). Patients were divided into two groups based on their severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (n = 103 positive and n = 234 negative) during the delivery. Thereafter, clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Moreover, delivery characteristics and clinical features were compared between primary caesarean section (n = 117) and normal spontaneous vaginal delivery cases (n = 100). Labour induction was performed in 16% of cases with a failure rate of 35%. Caesarean rate was 70% and the most common indication was worsening in maternal condition. Significant, positive and moderate correlations were observed between COVID-19 severity at admission (r = 0.422, p<.001), radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19 (r = 0.400, p<.001), the necessity for oxygen support during the delivery (r = 0.406, p<.001) and postpartum worsening in maternal condition. A significant, positive weak correlation was found between caesarean delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition (r = 0.176, p<.001). COVID-19 seems to be associated with increased rates of obstetric complications and caesarean delivery.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? Increased rates of foetal distress and caesarean section were reported in pregnant women with COVID-19. Appropriate management of labour and delivery in infected pregnant women is crucial to obtain favourable perinatal outcomes.What do the results of this study add? COVID-19 seems to be associated with increased rates of obstetric complications and caesarean delivery. PCR positive group had significantly higher primary and prelabor caesarean delivery rates. Severe/critic COVID-19 infection rate was significantly higher in the primary caesarean group. Significant, positive and moderate correlations were observed between COVID-19 severity at admission, radiologic findings consistent with COVID-19, the necessity for oxygen support during the delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition. A significant, positive weak correlation was found between caesarean delivery and postpartum worsening in maternal condition.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Management and delivery of pregnant women with COVID-19 should be individualised. The findings of the present study may lead to the establishment of future obstetric protocols in this special population.

Comparison of clinical features and perinatal outcomes between pre-variant and post-variant periods in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2: analysis of 1935 cases.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical features and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the pre-variant and post-variant periods. METHODS: This prospective cohort study includes pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 who were followed-up at Ankara City Hospital between 11, March 2020 and 15, September 2021. Demographic features, clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the pre-variant (n = 1416) and post-variant (n = 519) groups. RESULTS: The rates of severe and critical cases significantly increased in the post-variant group (9.7% vs 2%, p < 0.001). The rates of respiratory support (26.8% vs 7.3%, p < 0.001), ICU admission (12.9% vs 1.8%, p < 0.001) and maternal mortality (2.9% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the post-variant group. A significant increase was observed for pregnancy complications in the post-variant group (45.6% vs 18.8%, p = 0.007). The rates of preterm delivery (26.4% vs 4.4%, p < 0.001) and NICU admission (34% vs 18.8%, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the post-variant group. Positive, weak, statistically significant correlations were observed between the post-variant period, disease severity and maternal mortality (r = 0.19, r = 0.12 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Post-variant COVID-19 period was associated with a severe course of the disease and increased rates of adverse obstetric outcomes in pregnant patients.

Management of pregnant women with COVID-19: A tertiary pandemic center experience on 1416 cases.

The aim of this study is to share the comprehensive experience of a tertiary pandemic center on pregnant women with COVID-19 and to compare clinical outcomes between pregnancy trimesters. The present prospective cohort study consisted of pregnant women with COVID-19 who were followed up at Ankara City Hospital between March 11, 2020 and February 20, 2021. Clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between the pregnancy trimesters. A total of 1416 pregnant women (1400 singletons and 16 twins) with COVID-19 were evaluated. Twenty-six (1.8%) patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and maternal mortality was observed in six (0.4%) cases. Pregnancy complications were present in 227 (16.1%) cases and preterm labor was the most common one (n = 42, 2.9%). There were 311, 433, and 672 patients in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Rates of mild and severe/critic COVID-19 were highest in the first and second trimesters, respectively. The hospitalization rate was highest in the third trimester. Pregnancy complications, maternal mortality, and NICU admission rates were similar between the groups. The course of the disease and obstetric outcomes may be different among pregnancy trimesters. A worse course of the disease may be observed even in pregnant women without any coexisting health problems.