Clinical Course and Perinatal Outcomes of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 in Central Greece: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND

During the COVID pandemic increased rates of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, caesarean delivery, and preterm birth among women with SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy were recorded.

PURPOSE: This study describes the clinical course and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19 across pre- and post-vaccination periods.

METHODS

This study included all pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who subsequently delivered at the University General Hospital of Larissa between March 2020 and May 2023. Demographics, comorbidities, gestational age at infection and at delivery, COVID-19 symptoms, need for hospitalization, obstetric complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal outcomes were documented. An assessment of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) was performed in a subset of women.

RESULTS

A total of 327 women (including 14 twin gestations) were recorded. Most women experienced mild disease while a minority required hospital admission, or intensive care (1.8 and 0.3% for the studied population, respectively). Fever and upper respiratory symptoms predominated, while radiologic evidence of pneumonia was rare. Overall preterm birth (<37 weeks) occurred in 13% of pregnancies and caesarean section in about two thirds of deliveries. Neonatal outcomes were favorable, with low rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and no early neonatal deaths. IMA values were higher during acute infection and declined towards recovery.

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women with COVID-19 in Central Greece had predominantly mild clinical courses and excellent perinatal outcomes. IMA may represent a biologically plausible marker of disease activity, but further studies are needed.