Mortality Risk among Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case-Control Study in Rajasthan

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-positive pregnant women. Material(s) and Method(s) The study was designed as a case-control study and was conducted at COVID-designated tertiary care hospital. It included 42 deceased and 96 RT-PCR-positive surviving pregnant women who developed severe forms of disease. All the affected patients were admitted and managed according to Indian national guidelines. Risk factors - age, residence, socioeconomic status, gestation age, parity, and comorbidities were evaluated for their association with mortality. Result(s) Advanced maternal age (>28 years), rural residence, diabetes, and comorbidities were found to be associated with increased risk of mortality among the COVID-affected pregnant women, the respective adjusted odds ratio was 15.45, 12.61, 2.65, and 4.77, respectively. Conclusion(s) Pregnant women are vulnerable to COVID infection. They were at higher risk of mortality with comorbidities, advanced age, and low access to healthcare in the rural areas. Copyright © The Author(s).