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DOI: 10.1055/a-1727-9672
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Pregnant Women Assessed by RT-PCR in Franconia, Germany: First Results of the SCENARIO Study (SARS-CoV-2 prEvalence in pregNAncy and at biRth In FrancOnia)
Prävalenz von SARS-CoV-2 bei schwangeren Frauen ermittelt durch RT-PCR in Franken, Deutschland: erste Ergebnisse der SCENARIO-Studie (SARS-CoV-2 prEvalence in pregNAncy and at biRth In FrancOnia)![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/gebfra/202202/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-a-1727-9672_gf-1.jpg)
Abstract
Purpose Detection of SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women admitted to maternity units during a pandemic is crucial. In addition to the fact that pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 and that medical surveillance has to be adjusted in infected women and their offspring, knowledge about infection status can provide the opportunity to protect other patients and healthcare workers against virus transmission. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant women in the hospital setting.
Material and Methods All eligible pregnant women admitted to the nine participating hospitals in Franconia, Germany, from 2 June 2020 to 24 January 2021 were included. COVID-19-related symptoms, secondary diseases and pregnancy abnormalities were documented. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by RT-PCR from nasopharyngeal swabs. The prevalence of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection was estimated by correcting the positive rate using the Rogan–Gladen method. The risk of infection for healthcare workers during delivery was estimated using a risk calculator.
Results Of 2414 recruited pregnant women, six were newly diagnosed RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, which yielded a prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 0.26% (95% CI, 0.10 – 0.57%). Combining active room ventilation and wearing FFP2 masks showed an estimated reduction of risk of infection for healthcare workers in the delivery room to < 1%.
Conclusions The prevalence of newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy in this study is low. Nevertheless, a systematic screening in maternity units during pandemic situations is important to adjust hygienic and medical management. An adequate hygienic setting can minimise the calculated infection risk for medical healthcare workers during patientsʼ labour.
Zusammenfassung
Zielsetzung Das Erkennen von SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen bei schwangeren Frauen, die während der Pandemie in eine geburtshilfliche Abteilung aufgenommen werden, ist essenziell. Bekanntlich stellt die Schwangerschaft einen Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung einer schweren COVID-19-Erkrankung dar, und die medizinische Überwachung von infizierten Frauen und ihren Kindern muss dementsprechend angepassst werden. Das Wissen um den Infektionsstatus von Patientinnen macht es möglich, andere Patientinnen und das medizinische Fachpersonal vor einer Übertragung des Virus zu schützen. Ziel dieser prospektiven Beobachungsstudie war es, die Prävalenz von SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen bei schwangeren Frauen im Krankenhaus zu bestimmen.
Material und Methoden Alle schwangeren Frauen, die in einem der 9 teilnehmenden Krankenhäuser in Franken, Deutschland, zwischen dem 2. Juni 2020 und dem 24. Januar 2021 vorstellig waren, wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. COVID-19-bedingte Symptome, sekundäre Erkrankungen und Schwangerschaftsanomalien wurden dokumentiert. Die mit nasopharyngealen Abstrichen entnommene SARS-CoV-2-RNA wurde mittels RT-PCR detektiert. Ausgehend von der Rate positiver Fälle wurde die wahre Prävalenz von akuten SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen mit der Rogan–Gladen-Methode geschätzt. Das Infektionsrisiko für das medizinische Fachpersonal während der Entbindung wurde unter Zuhilfenahme eines Risikoberechners geschätzt.
Ergebnisse Bei 6 von insgesamt 2414 in die Studie rekrutierten schwangeren Frauen wurde nach einer RT-PCR-Diagnostik eine SARS-CoV-2-Infektion erstdiagnostiziert. Das entspricht einer Prävalenz von SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen von 0,26% (95%-KI 0,10 – 0,57%). Eine aktive Raumbelüftung in Kombination mit dem Tragen von FFP2-Masken verringerte das geschätzte Risiko einer Infektion für das im Entbindungssaal tätige medizinische Fachpersonal auf < 1%.
Schlussfolgerungen Die Prävalenz einer neuen SARS-CoV-2-Infektion während der Schwangerschaft war in dieser Studie gering. Trotzdem ist es wichtig, während der Pandemie systematische Untersuchungen in geburtshilflichen Abteilungen durchzuführen, um die Hygienemaßnahmen und die medizinische Betreuung im Falle einer Infektion anzupassen. Angemessene Infektionsschutzmaßnahmen können das kalkulierte Risiko für das medizinische Fachpersonal während der Geburtsbetreuung minimieren.
Supplements
- Supporting Information
Questionnaire: Self reporting questionnaire for COVID-19-related symptoms, secondary diseases and abnormalities during pregnancy.
Figure S1: Settings for the calculation of infection risk for medical staff in the delivery room. The parameters presented in the Figure are estimated average times, speech volume, speaking/breathing ratio and respiration rate of the mother in a hypothetical normal labour of 11.6 hours in the delivery room. Estimated length of stay in the delivery room of partner, midwife and obstetrician is also shown for every stage of delivery.
Figure S2: Histogramm of gestational weeks at study entry.
Publication History
Received: 11 November 2021
Accepted after revision: 22 December 2021
Article published online:
11 February 2022
© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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