The consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) /Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mothers and neonates are uncertain due to the lack of robust evidence from various available studies. Furthermore, conflicting data exist regarding the vertical transmission of coronavirus. Therefore, a hospital-based study was conducted to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on maternal and perinatal outcomes of COVID-19 infected pregnant women. MethodologyA hospital-based retrospective observational study was conducted between July-December 2020 in Rajarshi Dashrath Autonomous State Medical College, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, a designated level-2 COVID-19 Hospital. A total of 37 confirmed COVID-19 positive pregnant women (mean age 27.5 ± 05 years) of more than 28 weeks of gestation were included in this study to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on maternal and perinatal outcomes. Maternal symptoms related to COVID-19, comorbidities, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), leaking per vagina, mode of delivery, preterm deliveries, and maternal deaths were recorded. Birth weight of newborns, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, neonatal illness, neonatal deaths, and COVID-19 testing reports were recorded. ResultOut of 37 COVID-19 positive pregnant women, 27 (72.9%) women were asymptomatic, nine (24.4%) women were having mild disease, and one (2.7%) developed severe disease requiring ICU admission. No maternal deaths were observed. Twenty-six (70.3%) women were delivered by caesarean section, 11 (29.7%) women by normal vaginal delivery, four (10.8%) were of leaking per vagina. Among newborns, five (13.5%) were preterm, one (2.7%) newborn require NICU admission, two (5.4%) were tested COVID-19 positive on the 5th day of life but were asymptomatic, and four (10.8%) newborns developed a fever but were COVID-19 negative. One case (2.7%) was of stillbirth. No neonatal deaths were observed. ConclusionThe present study did not reveal any direct evidence for vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus through the placenta and during vaginal delivery, but the possibility of mother-to-child infection cannot be completely ignored. SARS-CoV-2 infection during late pregnancy may have a maternal and neonatal impact. COVID-19 infections in late pregnancy might lead to an increased incidence of caesarean deliveries as observed in the present study. This study reveals that most of the COVID-19 positive pregnant women remained asymptomatic or had mild infections. Hence, efforts to limit exposure to COVID-19 of pregnant women should be strengthened for saving mother and child.

Introduction: Pregnancy is a state of an altered physiological process, and a burn injury during pregnancy, serves as an additive factor to this stressful state, such that it can directly or indirectly affect the feto-maternal outcome. Aim: To find out the effects of burn injury in pregnant females, in terms of maternal and foetal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study, done in collaboration with the Department of Surgery at Rajashri Dashrath Autonomous State Medical College, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, from September 2019 to November 2021, on 22 pregnant patients. All 22 confirmed cases of pregnancy with burn injury were included. Cases were evaluated in terms of age-wise distribution, parity, gestational age/ trimester of pregnancy, cause of burn injury, Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) distribution, the relation of TBSA distribution with foetal and maternal mortality, and events associated with the burn injury. Data was analysed using trial version of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: Mean age of pregnant patients with burns was 25.22±2.3 years. Thirteen (59.09%) patients with burn injuries were married for one to three years, incidence was more in primigravidae 14 (63.63%). Domestic violence and suicide attempts accounted for 12 (54.54%) cases. Kerosene and gas explosions were a major cause of burn injury, that is 16 (72.72%)and 5 (22.72%) respectively. Sixteen (72.72%) patients had burns with TBSA between 31-50%. Foetal mortality was 15 (68.18%) and maternal mortality was 14 (63.63%). Conclusion: Feto-maternal outcome was directly related to TBSA involved in burns. Illiteracy, and cultural practices like the use of earthen lamps, wood, and charcoal used for cooking, were some of the important causes of burn injury.

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