Evaluation of COVID-19 as a risk factor for maternal-fetal and neonatal complications: protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 in pregnant women has been suggested to impair maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes. We then designed the present systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the repercussion of such disease over maternal fetal and neonatal mortality, need for intensive care, way of delivery, premature delivery, birth weight, Apgar score, presence of intrauterine growth restriction (IGR), and presence of amniotic fluid change. Methods: We will conduct a computerized search through MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS/BIREME, Web of science, Biorxiv, Medrxiv, and Embase on July 23, 2020. We will include cohort and case-control studies fully reported comparing pregnant women with COVID-19 with those not affected by the disease for maternal fetal and neonatal mortality, need for intensive care, way of delivery, premature delivery occurrence, birth weight, Apgar scores, presence of intrauterine growth restriction, and presence of amniotic fluid change. Three doubles of reviewers will perform in duplicate and independently all steps on screening, risk of bias judgments, and data extraction with ability to discuss disagreements with supervising authors. Pooled effects will be estimated by both fixed and random-effects models and presented according to qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity assessment. Sensitivity analyses will be performed as well as a priori subgroup, meta-regression and multiple meta-regression analyses. We will also evaluate the risk of selective publication by assessing funnel plot asymmetry and the quality of the evidence by the application of the GRADE recommendations. Discussion: This systematic review with meta-analysis aims to assess the repercussion of COVID-19 in pregnant women over maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes and to help clinicians and health systems improve such population outcomes throughout the current pandemic. Systematic review registration: This review protocol was also submitted to PROSPERO registration on February 9, 2021.