Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic-A Comparative Retrospective Single Center Study during the First, Second and Third Wave of COVID-19 in Tertiary Care Institute in North India

ABSTRACT

Background: At the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, it was an unknown entity in terms of risk status of the pregnant women for fetomaternal outcome. Both fetus and pregnant women were considered as groups under special concern due to their unique physiological characteristics. Method(s) A retrospective study was conducted in department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology along with Paediatrics department in Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Solan on pregnant females admitted to the Covid-19 Ward/ ICU over a period from August 2020 till 31st March 2022. Participants were included into 3 waves of pandemic based upon time of presentation and these 3 groups were further studied for the various fetomaternal parameters such as maternal age, symptom status, need for respiratory support, maternal mortality, abortions, still births, gestational age and weight of newborn and other morbidity and mortality in newborns. Result(s) A total of 171 pregnant were included in the study, of whom 47, 64 and 60 were seen in 1st, 2nd and 3rd waves respectively. Majority of subjects were asymptomatic in 1st, 2nd & 3rd wave, (p=0.30). Age wise distribution of the patients showed majority subjects in the age group of 20-30 years (p= 0.94). LSCS rates in 3 waves were not different significantly (p = 0.67). Maternal mortality rates and need for respiratory support were in similar proportions in all 3 waves (p=0.71) and (p=0.73) respectively. No significant difference was seen in maternal morbidity and neonatal outcome. Conclusion(s) The study showed no significant difference between the waves of Covid-19 pandemic in terms of fetomaternal outcome except no maternal mortality in 3rd wave. Copyright © 2022 Ubiquity Press. All rights reserved.