ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the temporal trend of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and severity of clinical outcomes among pregnant women over a calendar year in the State of Maryland and compare clinical outcomes between different ethnic and racial groups. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective, multicenter observational study of the temporal trend of COVID-19 clinical presentation during pregnancy in the State of Maryland. We reviewed consecutive charts of adult pregnant females, aged 18 to 55 years, with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, and managed within the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins Medicine. We excluded cases with insufficient data for assessing the COVID-19 diagnosis, pregnancy status, or clinical outcomes. We evaluated the evolution of COVID-19 symptoms at the time of presentation. Also, we compared COVID-19 infection rate, hospitalization rate, oxygen use, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates between different ethnic and racial groups. RESULTS: We included 595 pregnant women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 over the study period. The prevalence of respiratory and systemic symptoms decreased over time with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of 0.91 per month (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-0.95) and 0.87 per month (95% CI: 0.83-0.95), respectively. The prevalence of hospitalization, O2 requirement, and ICU admission decreased over time with IRRs of 0.86 per month (95% CI: 0.82-0.91), 0.91 per month (95% CI: 0.84-0.98), and 0.70 per month (95% CI: 0.57-0.85), respectively. The Hispanic and Black populations had a higher COVID-19 infection rate and hospitalization rate than the non-Hispanic White population (p = 0.004, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Understanding the concepts of viral evolution could potentially help the fight against pandemics like COVID-19. Moreover, this might improve the knowledge of how pandemics affect disadvantaged populations and help close the gap in health care inequities. KEY POINTS: · A trade-off between virulence and transmissibility is determined by the natural selection of viruses.. · Understanding the concepts of viral evolution can help the fight against pandemics like COVID-19.. · Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 over time resulted in decreased virulence and increased infectivity..
ABSTRACT
Importance: Pregnant people are at increased risk of poor outcomes due to infection with SARS-CoV-2, and there are limited therapeutic options available. Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir used to treat SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: This case series included pregnant patients who were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, received nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, and delivered their offspring within the Johns Hopkins Health System between December 22, 2021, and August 20, 2022. Exposures: Treatment with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir for SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Clinical characteristics and outcomes were ascertained through manual record review. Results: Forty-seven pregnant patients (median [range] age, 34 [22-43] years) were included in the study, and the median (range) gestational age of their offspring was 28.4 (4.3-39.6) weeks. Medication was initiated at a median (range) of 1 (0-5) day after symptom onset, and only 2 patients [4.3%] did not complete the course of therapy because of adverse effects. Thirty patients (63.8%) treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir had a comorbidity in addition to pregnancy that could be a risk factor for developing severe COVID-19. Twenty-five patients [53.2%] delivered after treatment with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir. Twelve of these patients [48.0%] underwent cesarean delivery, 9 [75.0%] of which were scheduled. Two of 47 patients [4.3%] were hospitalized for conditions related to preexisting comorbidities. Conclusions and Relevance: In this case series, pregnant patients who were treated with nirmatrelvir and ritonavir tolerated treatment well, although there was an unexpectedly high rate of cesarean deliveries. The lack of an increase in serious adverse effects affecting pregnant patients or offspring suggests that clinicians can use this drug combination to treat pregnant patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.