Characteristics and Pregnancy Outcomes of Asymptomatic and Symptomatic Women with COVID-19: Lessons from Hospitals in Wuhan

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of the study was to compare the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 in the third trimester. Methodology: Forty-one patients were enrolled in this study from two COVID-19 designated hospitals in Wuhan. Patients underwent chest CT scans for screening and were divided into two groups based on pneumonia-related syndromes. The clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were reviewed and compared. Results: Among the sample of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester, there was no mortality or severe complications in the mothers nor newborns. Nearly 40% of the patients in the study were asymptomatic. The most common pneumonia-related symptom in symptomatic pregnant patients was cough. Asymptomatic patients had a significantly shorter duration of hospitalisation and a lower rate of positive RT-PCR testing compared with symptomatic patients. There was no statistically significant difference in antibody test results between asymptomatic and symptomatic patients during hospitalisation, while the positive rate of IgM antibody testing was significantly lower in asymptomatic patients during follow-up. Conclusions: Clinical manifestation of pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 were atypical and concealed. Screening of possible COVID-19 patients should be strengthened, through serial or combined testing of laboratory testing or radiological testing, before pregnant women are admitted to hospital.