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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(S 01): e3255-e3263
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777717
Original Article

How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Maternal and Neonatal Health?

Nazan N. Dogan 
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Ozgul Salihoglu
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training Research Center, Istanbul, Turkey
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the proportional growth of the fetus, maternal health, and neonatal outcomes.

Study Design The study group (Group 1) included pregnant women with a history of COVID-19. Pregnant women who were hospitalized during the same period without COVID-19 were the control group (Group 2). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the groups.

Results A total of 230 pregnant women and their infants were assessed. Group 1 (n = 74) had significantly higher rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension than Group 2 (n = 156; p = 0.015 and 0.014, respectively). Premature birth and cesarean section rates were also significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p = 0.001 and 0.040, respectively). While the rate of iatrogenic preterm birth was significantly higher in Group 1, the rate of spontaneous preterm birth was significantly higher in Group 2 (p = 0.049). Infants born to COVID-19-positive mothers had lower median gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar scores (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the results of cord blood gas analysis (p > 0.05). The rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and need for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in infants of COVID-19-positive mothers (p < 0.05 for both). The length of stay in the NICU was also significantly longer for the infants of COVID-19-positive mothers (p < 0.05). Birth weights decreased due to increased cases of iatrogenic preterm births (p < 0.05). However, ponderal indices (PIs) of newborns of pregnant COVID-19 mothers did not differ at birth (p > 0.05).

Conclusion COVID-19 is associated with low Apgar scores, increased risk of premature birth complications, and maternal comorbidities, with no effect on the PI and proportionate growth of the infant at birth.

Key Points

  • No difference in ponderal indices.

  • No difference in postnatal cardiovascular adaptation.

  • COVID-19 is frequent in pregnant women with comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Keywords

COVID-19 - fetal growth - perinatal outcomes - ponderal index


Publication History

Received: 04 July 2023

Accepted: 15 November 2023

Article published online:
15 December 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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