A new study suggests that pregnant women who develop severe COVID-19 disease have an increased risk of death and premature birth, compared to those with asymptomatic cases of the disease.
However, the lead study author said that adverse outcomes are not associated with mild to moderate coronavirus infections.
“Our research shows that serious pregnancy complications occur in women with severe or critical cases of COVID and not in those who have mild or moderate cases,” said Dr. Torri D. Metz, a subspecialty and associate professor of maternal fetal medicine at the University of Utah Health, said in a related news release.
This information helps us to advise our patients more effectively. For pregnant women who have experienced a mild or moderate case of COVID-19, these findings may help alleviate their fears that they are at increased risk of serious pregnancy complications because of the disease. ‘
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Findings were presented Thursday during a virtual meeting for the Association for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, according to a news release from the National Institutes of Health, which funded the study.
Researchers from the University of Utah and George Washington University examined records of 1,219 pregnant women from more than 30 hospitals in 14 states from March 1 to July 31 who were diagnosed with coronavirus. Nearly half of the patients showed no symptoms, while the other patients had moderate (27%), moderate (14%), severe (8%) and critical (4%) COVID-19 disease.
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According to the CDC, pregnant women should be advised of the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms of coronavirus. (iStock)
Elderly patients with a higher body mass index (BMI) and underlying health conditions tended to develop severe COVID-19. These women had a higher risk of death and severe birth problems, such as heavy, abnormal postpartum hemorrhage, C-sections, high blood pressure, and premature birth.
A summary of the findings shows that four women died due to the new virus, which exceeds the mortality rate of expectant women without COVID-19 infection, and that is about 17 deaths for every 100,000 live births.
“High blood pressure and premature birth also have the potential to cause long-term health problems in women or their babies,” reads a related news release.
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The study follows previous findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which said that pregnant women who contract the coronavirus have a higher risk of serious illness and death than non-pregnant women.
The CDC said that pregnant women should be advised on the importance of seeking immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms of coronavirus, and that every medical appointment should place a strong emphasis on coronavirus prevention for pregnant women.
Fox News’ Alexandria Hein contributed to this report.