COVID-19-related deaths among women of reproductive age in Brazil: The burden of postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: To compare risk of death due to COVID-19 among pregnant, postpartum, and non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Brazil, using the severe acute respiratory syndrome surveillance system (SARS-SS). METHODS: A secondary analysis was performed of the Brazilian official SARS-SS, with data retrieved up to August 17, 2020. Cases were stratified by pregnancy status, risk factors or co-morbidities, and outcome (death or recovery). Multiple logistic regression was employed to examine associations between independent variables and risk of death. RESULTS: A total of 24 805 cases were included, with 3129 deaths (12.6%), including 271 maternal deaths. Postpartum was associated with increased risk of death, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mechanical ventilation. Co-morbidities with higher impact on case fatality rate among non-obstetric cases were cancer and neurological and kidney diseases. Among pregnant women, cancer, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and rheumatology diseases were associated with risk of death. In the postpartum subgroup, age over 35 years and diabetes mellitus were independently associated with higher chance of death. CONCLUSION: Postpartum was associated with worse outcomes among the obstetric population, despite lower risk of dying without accessing ICU care. Non-pregnant women with cancer, neurological diseases, and kidney diseases have a higher risk of death due to COVID-19.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether clinical and social risk factors are associated with negative outcomes for COVID-19 disease among Brazilian pregnant and postpartum women. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of the official Acute Respiratory Syndrome Surveillance System database. Pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with COVID-19 ARDS until July 14, 2020, were included. Adverse outcomes were a composite endpoint of either death, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), or mechanical ventilation. Risk factors were examined by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: There were 2475 cases of COVID-19 ARDS. Among them, 23.8% of women had the composite endpoint and 8.2% died. Of those who died, 5.9% were not hospitalized, 39.7% were not admitted to the ICU, 42.6% did not receive mechanical ventilation, and 25.5% did not have access to respiratory support. Multivariate analysis showed that postpartum period, age over 35 years, obesity, diabetes, black ethnicity, living in a peri-urban area, no access to Family Health Strategy, or living more than 100 km from the notification hospital were associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. CONCLUSION: Clinical and social risk factors and barriers to access health care are associated with adverse outcomes among maternal cases of COVID-19 ARDS in Brazil.

Maternal mortality and COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to collect and analyze data from different sources to have a general overview of COVID-19-related maternal deaths in Brazil, as well as to compare data with worldwide reports. STUDY DESIGN: We systematically searched data about COVID-19 maternal deaths from the Brazilian Ministry of Health surveillance system, State Departments of Health epidemiological reports, and media coverage. Data about timing of symptom onset and death (pregnancy or postpartum), gestational age, mode of birth, maternal age, comorbidities and/or risk factors, date of death, and place of death were retrieved when available. RESULTS: We identified 20 COVID-19-related maternal deaths, age range 20-43 years. Symptoms onset was reported as on pregnancy for 12 cases, postpartum for 3 cases, and during the cesarean section for 1 case (missing data for 4). In 16 cases, death occurred in the postpartum period. At least one comorbidity or risk factor was present in 11 cases (missing data for 4). Asthma was the most common risk factor (5/11). Ten cases occurred in the Northeast region, and nine cases occurred in the Southeast region (5 of them in São Paulo, the first epicenter of COVID-19 in the country). CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest available series of maternal deaths due to COVID-19. Barriers to access healthcare, differences in pandemic containment measures in the country and high prevalence of concomitant risk factors for COVID-19 severe disease may play a role in the observed disparity compared to worldwide reports on maternal outcomes.