SARS-CoV-2 testing and detection during peripartum hospitalizations among a multi-center cohort of pregnant persons, March 2020-February 2021.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identifying SARS-CoV-2 infections during peripartum hospitalizations is important to guide care, implement prevention measures, and understand infection burden. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis used electronic health record data from hospitalizations during which pregnancies ended (peripartum hospitalizations) among a cohort of pregnant persons at 3 U.S. integrated healthcare networks (Sites 1-3). Maternal demographic, medical encounter, SARS-CoV-2 testing, and pregnancy and neonatal outcome information was extracted for persons with estimated delivery and pregnancy end dates during March 2020-February 2021 and ≥1 prenatal care record. Site-stratified multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with testing and compare pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among persons tested. RESULTS: Among 17,858 pregnant persons, 10,863 (60.8%) had peripartum SARS-CoV-2 testing; 222/10,683 (2.0%) had positive results. Testing prevalence varied by site and was lower during March-May 2020. Factors associated with higher peripartum SARS-CoV-2 testing odds were Asian race (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.36; 95% CI 1.03-1.79; referent White) (Site 1), Hispanic or Latina ethnicity (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 1.08-1.64) (Site 2), peripartum Medicaid coverage (aOR 1.33; 95% CI 1.06-1.66) (Site 1), and preterm hospitalization (aOR 1.69; 95% CI 1.19-2.39 [Site 1]; aOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.03-1.88 [Site 2]). CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight potential disparities in SARS-CoV-2 peripartum testing by demographic and pregnancy characteristics. Testing practice variations should be considered when interpreting studies relying on convenience samples of pregnant persons testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Efforts to address testing differences between groups could improve equitable testing practices and care for pregnant persons with SARS-CoV-2 infections.