Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, fetus and newborn, and treatment management

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: During pregnancy, changes occur in many systems, including the immune system. In line with our experience in the previous years, COVID-19 infections have negative effects on pregnancy. In our study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, fetus and newborn, and treatment management. METHODS: In our study, 63 patients followed up between April 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021, were evaluated. Demographic data, symptoms, laboratory data, treatments, clinical course and delivery characteristics of the patients, as well as pathologies in the fetus and newborn were investigated retrospectively. The obtained data were statistically analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. RESULTS: In this study, 63 pregnant COVID-19 patients aged 19–37 years were included in the study. Fifty of the patients had symptoms of COVID-19 at the time of admission. At the time of admission, 13 patients required oxygen, and ten of these patients had severe radiological involvement. Seven patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, and three of them required invasive mechanical ventilation and deceased afterward. All newborns were found negative for the COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test. Low birth weight has been detected in eight newborns and low Apgar score in 2 of them. Respiratory distress was observed in four newborns and they were discharged from intensive. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women have more disadvantages in the course of COVID-19 and have worse maternal outcomes. In addition, treatments such as Lopinavir/Ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine did not have any effect. These patients should be carefully evaluated and followed up.