Maternal and fetal complications during COVID-19 pandemic- A study of Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar Pakistan.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the association of maternal and neonatal complications from COVID-19 severity. Study Design: Case-series. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar Pakistan. Period: June 2020 to Dec 2020. Material & Methods: 50 pregnant patients with COVID-19 were included. Clinical information on COVID-19 exposures and information on maternal and neonatal complications were noted through a pre-designed proforma. The Kendall’s tau (τ) test was applied between maternal complications and neonatal complications, COVID-19 severity (in mothers) & maternal/neonatal complications. Results: More women (52%) were asymptomatic in COVID-19 exposure. Mild symptoms with no shortness of breath were reported in 44% of women, whereas only 4% required ventilator support. 80% of women were in postpartum when they turned COVID-19 negative. In the majority (72%) of women, no maternal complications were noted. In 14% of them, oligohydramnios was reported. Preterm labor and PROM/PPROM were reported in 6% of mothers. Preterm birth was reported 10%, fetal, the APGAR score was 7-9 out of 10. In the majority of neonates (94%), no early death was reported. 42% of distress/meconium was 8%, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was 6%, and stillbirth was 5%. In 82% of neonates were COVID-19 negative on PCR. A strong correlation existed between maternal complications and neonatal complications. However, a weak correlation was observed between COVID-19 severity (in mothers) and maternal & neonatal complications. Conclusion: Although maternal and neonatal complications were strongly linked to each other, these complications had a weak association with the presence of COVID-19.