Clinical characteristics, obstetric and perinatal outcome of COVID-19 Infection in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics, obstetrics and perinatal outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 infection in pregnant women. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from August 2020 to July 2021, and comprised pregnant women with suspicion of coronavirus disease 2019 infection, who underwent recommended testing, and were found to be positive. Oral swabs for the presence of infection were also taken from the neonate within 24 hours of delivery. Data was analysed using Stata 11. RESULTS: There were 41 women with a mean age of 27±5 years, a mean gestational age of 35±3 weeks, and mean parity 1.2±1.01. Of them, 3(7.3%) women died. Medical complications found along with coronavirus disease 2019 infection were pregnancy-induced hypertension 2(4.8%), eclampsia 4(11%) and diabetes mellitus 2(4.8%). Fever was the most common symptom seen in 12(30%) women, followed by cough 7(20%) and shortness of breath 6(14%). Majority 32(82%) of the women underwent caesarean section. The most common maternal complication was postpartum haemorrhage 6(20%). Also, 36(86%) women required intensive care unit stay for a mean 5±9 days. CONCLUSIONS: Fever, followed by cough and breathlessness, were the most common clinical features. Most common maternal and foetal complication was postpartum haemorrhage and low birth weight, respectively.

Exploring Reproductive Health Impact of COVID 19 pandemic: In Depth Interviews with key stakeholders in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of COVID 19 on reproductive and child health services and gender relations. METHODS: This is a Qualitative Exploratory Research. Due to lockdown, setting was online interviews on Zoom. Sampling was purposive. Five in-depth interviews were conducted in June 2020 followed by compilation of results and manuscript writing in July and August 2020. RESULTS: Maternal Neonatal morbidity and mortality will rise as part of collateral damage of C19. As all routine services of maternity care, family planning, post abortion care and vaccination were also in lockdown. Baby boom, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and violence against women will be the secondary consequences of C19. CONCLUSION: Some critical services should never stop which include maternal and neonatal essential services. MNCH service continuity has to be maintained to optimize maternal neonatal health, prevent unwanted pregnancy and abortion. With appropriate standard operating procedures, and protective equipments, health facilities need to open. LHWs and community mobilisers with PPEs should continue services.