ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the estimated blood loss and the frequency of obstetric hemorrhage among pregnant women with and without COVID-19 infection. The study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration in Warsaw, Poland. From 15 May 2020 to 26 April 2021, a total of 224 parturients with COVID-19 infection were admitted for labor. The control group consisted of 300 randomly recruited pre-pandemic deliveries that took place between 15 May 2019 and 26 April 2020 at the Department. The primary outcome was the presence of postpartum hemorrhage, defined as an estimated blood loss of ≥500 mL within 24 h after birth or the need to transfuse 2 or more units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs). Secondary outcomes were the difference between hemoglobin and hematocrit levels at 24 h postpartum, the number of pRBCs units transfused, and the need for transperitoneal drainage. After applying the propensity-score-matching procedure for postpartum bleeding risk factors, 325 eligible patients were included in the final analysis, divided into 203 COVID-19 positive and 122 COVID-19 negative prepandemic deliveries. SARS-CoV-2 infected patients were characterized by a longer activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), a reduced prothrombin time (PT), and lower platelet count at initial presentation. COVID-19 deliveries were found to be associated with a higher frequency of postpartum hemorrhage, an increased estimated blood loss, the more frequent use of peritoneal drainage, and more pRBCs units transfused. During the pandemic, an increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage posed another threat to SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women. It is essential to be aware of this when approaching COVID-19 delivery and to implement efficient preventative methods.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the physical and mental health of people around the world and left unprepared health care systems struggling to mount an adequate response. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy in terms of perinatal and fetal outcomes is essential to propose strategies for mminimising viral transmission. Overall, 91 pregnant women in labour, or with indication for induction of labour, with COVID-19 were admitted to hospital. On the day of admission, each pregnant woman underwent a nasopharyngeal swab to validate SARS-CoV-2 infection. Whenever delivery was by caesarean section, an amniotic fluid sample was collected after uterus incision. Neonates were tested twice: first by nasopharyngeal swab at birth and secondly either at 24 h after (when babies were isolated) or at discharge (when rooming-in). All samples underwent rRT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests by nasopharyngeal swab of the pregnant women produced positive results in 47 patients. This cohort gave birth to 48 infants who were double tested by nasopharyngeal swab and included in the prospective observational study. Moreover, in this same cohort, 39 amniotic fluid samples were taken during caesarean section. All samples underwent rRT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 and came back negative. The study results suggest a low risk of vertical transmission of COVID-19 and favourable perinatal outcomes due to adequate preventative strategies. This approach may prove to be more beneficial in the new SARS-CoV-2 variants era.
ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection poses significant risks during surgical interventions. We investigated the intraperitoneal presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients who are COVID-19 positive. DESIGN: A prospective group study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology designated for patients with COVID-19, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior, Warsaw. PATIENTS: Overall, 65 pregnant women with COVID-19 infection underwent cesarian section. The diagnosis was confirmed either by positive antigen test or by positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay performed within no more than 13 days before the operation. INTERVENTIONS: On the day of the operation, a nasopharyngeal swab was taken, and peritoneal fluid was collected at the beginning of the operation. Both the nasopharyngeal swab and peritoneal fluid samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 65 pregnant women with COVID-19 infection were enrolled in the study. The SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid test by nasopharyngeal swab produced positive results in 34 patients. In this group as well as in 31 nonconfirmed patients, all peritoneal fluid samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a low risk of COVID-19 transmission from the peritoneal cavity at the time of laparoscopy or laparotomy.