Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and their babies: clinical and epidemiological features

• Published in: Gaceta sanitaria 2023, Vol.37, p.102332, Article 102332
• Main Authors: Vidal, María José, Martínez-Solanas, Èrica, Mendoza, Sergi, Sala, Núria, Jané, Mireia, Mendioroz, Jacobo, Ciruela, Pilar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complicaciones del embarazo; COVID-19; Nacimiento prematuro; Neonates; Pregnancy outcomes; Premature birth; Recién nacido; SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN: 0213-9111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2023.102332

Assess the risk associated with COVID-19 in pregnant women on maternal and neonatal outcomes in Catalonia (Spain) in 2020, before the beginning of COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Cross-sectional descriptive study with all pregnant women (41,560) and their live newborns (42,097) (1st March to 31st December 2020). Women were classified: positive and negative COVID-19 diagnosis during pregnancy. The outcomes analysed were complications during pregnancy, gestational age, admission of newborns to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and birth weight. Associations among positive COVID-19 and maternal and infant variables were measured with logistic regression models. Results were expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Models were adjusted for nationality, maternal age, socioeconomic status, type of pregnancy and type of centre where the delivery occurred (public or private management hospital). A total of 696 women (1.7%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy. Women with COVID-19 were 4.37 times more likely to have complications during pregnancy (4.37; 3.52-5.40). A total of 713 newborns (1.7%) were from mothers with COVID-19. A positive diagnosis of COVID-19 increased the risk of preterm birth (1.41; 1.03-1.89), admission to NICU (1.40; 1.06-1.82) and low birth weight (1.35; 0.99-1.80) in babies. Pregnant women with COVID-19 had higher risk of developing complications during pregnancy and their newborns were more likely to be admitted to NICU and had prematurity. Evaluar el riesgo asociado de COVID-19 y los resultados en mujeres embarazadas y sus recién nacidos en Cataluña (España) antes del inicio de la campaña de vacunación. Estudio descriptivo transversal de mujeres gestantes (41.560) y sus recién nacidos (42.097) (del 1 de marzo al 31 de diciembre de 2020). Las gestantes fueron clasificadas según diagnóstico COVID-19 positivo o negativo durante el embarazo. Los resultados analizados fueron complicaciones gestacionales, semana gestacional, ingreso del recién nacido en la unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales (UCIN) y bajo peso al nacer. Las asociaciones entre COVID-19 positivo y variables maternas y perinatales se midieron con regresión logística. Los resultados se expresaron con odds ratio e intervalo de confianza del 95%. Los modelos se ajustaron por nacionalidad, edad materna, nivel socioeconómico, tipo de embarazo y titularidad (pública o privada) del hospital donde se dio a luz. Un total de 696 gestantes (1,7%) fueron diagnostic