Aims and objectives:The aim of this study was to compare the immediate adverse effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine (COVAXIN) in a pregnant woman with that of a nonpregnant woman. Materials and methods: It is a prospective observational study done at Vanivilas Hospital, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI) for 2 months. The sample size was 100 pregnant and 100 nonpregnant women. Telephonically, patients were followed-up, and details of the side/adverse effects were collected in a proforma after 2 and 14 days. Data collected from both groups were analyzed using the Chisquare test or Fisher's exact test. Results:The majority of women were in the age group of ≤25 years (64.0% and 36.0%, respectively) with a mean age of 25.01 ± 3.71 years among the pregnant and 28.52 ± 6.00 years among nonpregnant women. About 25.0% of pregnant women and 38.0% of nonpregnant women reported side effects. About 15.0% and 22.0% had taken treatment for side effects among pregnant women and nonpregnant women, respectively. Among the pregnant women, the common side effects reported were injection site pain (17) followed by fever (5), fatigue (4), and myalgia (03). Whereas among the nonpregnant women, the common side effects reported were injection site pain (28) followed by fever (6), myalgia (3), headache (2), and fatigue (1). Conclusion: Side effects reported following the administration of Covaxin in pregnant and nonpregnant women are fever, fatigue, injection site pain, myalgia, and headache. The proportion of side effects was not significantly different in the pregnant and nonpregnant women following Covaxin administration. Clinical significance: Covaxin is an inactivated killed vaccine against COVID-19 by Bharat Biotech. The vaccine has been recommended for pregnant women by the Government of India during corona pandemic. Studies are lacking regarding the difference in adverse events in pregnant versus nonpregnant women, after vaccine administration.

Aim: To know the frequency of meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) among COVID-positive term pregnant mothers and to know perinatal outcomes in these neonates. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted of COVID-positive term pregnancies admitted to Vanivilas hospital, Bangalore Medical College, during the study period of 1 year. The study period was from 1st of July 2020 to 31st of June 2021. High-risk pregnancies that confound the occurrence of MSAF were excluded (obstetric risk factors and medical risk factors complicating pregnancy). Data were collected from medical records of patients and parturition register, which are cross-verified with operation theater records and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) registers. Results: In total, 200 pregnant women were included in the study. About 65% were delivered by cesarean, 34.5% by the vaginal route, and one vacuum-assisted delivery. In total, 199 live births and one fresh stillbirth are reported. About, 26% had MSAF and 6.5% of newborns had meconium aspiration syndrome. Grade I, II, and III cases were 4.5%, 12.5%, and 9% respectively. Low appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration (APGAR) scores were correlating with the grade of MSAF, which is statistically significant. There were two neonatal deaths in grade III MSAF cases. Conclusion:The frequency of MSAF is increased among COVID-positive mothers, which translates to low APGAR scores and poor perinatal outcomes. Vigilant intrapartum care is recommended for these pregnancies to reduce the risk of poor neonatal outcomes. Clinical significance: The current study is undertaken to know if coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased frequency of MSAF among COVID-positive pregnant women. Finding MSAF has implications on operative delivery, cesarean rates, and perinatal outcome. There is a lack of studies about MSAF and perinatal outcomes in COVID-positive mothers. Evidence generated by this study helps to counsel the COVID-positive mothers and guides in the management of COVID-positive laboring women.

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