Pregnant women with COVID-19 infection at higher risk for ICU admission: CDC
USA: Pregnant women with COVID-19 infection are more likely to get admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and receive mechanical ventilation, according to a recent study. The study was highlighted in a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The study was conducted from January 22–June 7, with 326,335 women ages 15-44 testing positive. Of the COVID-19 positive group, 8,207 were pregnant. In the COVID-19 pregnant grouping, Hispanics made up 46.2% of the overall group, whites were 23.0%, blacks made up 22.1%, and Asians made up 3.8%.
Key findings of the study include:
- 31.5% of pregnant women with COVID-19 were reported to be hospitalized compared to just 5.8% of nonpregnant women.
- Pregnant women were more likely to be admitted to the ICU (aRR = 1.5) and receive mechanical ventilation (aRR = 1.7).
- Hispanic and black women who are pregnant appear to be at a greater risk to contract COIVD-19.
- Pregnant women who are Hispanic and black might be disproportionately affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
- In terms of mortality, both groups displayed similar results. In the pregnancy group, there were 16 (0.2%) COVID-19–related deaths, and among nonpregnant women, 208 (0.2%) such deaths.
"To reduce severe COVID-19-associated illness, pregnant women should be aware of their potential risk for severe COVID-19 illness," stated the MMWR Report.
A total of 8,207 cases of COVID-19 in pregnant women were reported to CDC as of June 7, 2020, representing approximately 9% of cases among women of reproductive age with data available on pregnancy status.
"Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk for hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation but not death," the report concluded.
The study, "Characteristics of Women of Reproductive Age with Laboratory-Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection by Pregnancy Status — United States, January 22–June 7, 2020," was published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
