Clinical and sociodemographic characterization of pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: In pregnant women, a higher risk for developing viral respiratory infections is identified. Objective: To analyze sociodemographic characteristics, evolution, clinical manifestations, and complications of pregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19. Methods: Study conducted at 11 public hospitals; sociodemographic variables, comorbidities, signs and symptoms, laboratory and imaging findings, pregnancy characteristics, treatment and pregnancy outcome were included for analysis. Results: Age ranged between 15 and 40 years; 85.1% were at third trimester of pregnancy, 11.9% at second and 3% at first; 27% had any comorbidity such as obesity, hypertension or asthma; 89.5% had fever, 73.1% cough, 44.8% dyspnea, 43.3% headache and 35.8% myalgia. Diagnoses were mild disease (55.2%), mild pneumonia (26.9%), severe pneumonia (10.4%), severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome (4.5%), and severe pneumonia with septic shock (3%); 76.2% had noninvasive oxygen support, and 9%, mechanical ventilation. Pregnancy was interrupted in 53.8%; 95.5% were discharged due to improvement of their condition and 4.5% died. Conclusions: Age range and symptoms areconsistent with those previously reported. Evidence was found of an increase in cesarean section without a clear indication in women with COVID-19.