Clinical manifestation and maternal complications and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19: a comprehensive evidence synthesis and meta-analysis

Possibility of intrauterine transmission from mother to fetus/newborn: Systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection

Several studies have reported vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, information regarding intrauterine transmission based on diagnostic methods to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection is scarce. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to identify and explore the studies that attempt to ascertain the possibility of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. The results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted intrauterine, as detected by clinical manifestations (1.00, 95 % CI: 1.00 - 1.00, 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.22 - 0.80), imaging (0.50, 95 % CI: 0.24 - 0.76, 0.03, 95 % CI: 0.00 - 0.17), molecular (1. 00, 95 % CI: 1.00 - 1.00, 0.92, 95 % CI: 0.77 - 1.00), immunological (0.32, 95 % CI: 0.10 - 0.57, 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.11 - 0.61), and histological approaches (0.79, 95 % CI: 0.52 - 0.98) in maternal and fetal/neonatal specimens, respectively. The possibility of intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to fetus/newborn was 41 % (95 % CI 0.37 - 0.45). We might confirm/verify the intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoCV-2 from mother to fetus/newborn.

Low-Cost SpO2 Integrated Neonatal CPAP Device for Low Resource Setting

Introduction

More than 60% of preterm births take place in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, making prematurity a primary cause of neonatal mortality. Even though continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a popular treatment for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and is safe, practicable, and efficient for use in LMICs, it is crucial to ensure that neonates receive the full benefits of the therapy by monitoring their blood oxygen level.

Methods

A centrifugal fan, power source, control system, and sensors are all included in our design. A centrifugal fan was created to provide air at positive pressure in the range of approximately 4 cmH2O to 20 cmH2O utilizing revolving blades (impeller), a DC motor, and a fixed component. The control unit contains a microcontroller to handle sensor data. The proportional-integral (PI) controller board's external potentiometer is used to set the pressure level.

Results

To ascertain whether the prototype satisfies the design requirements, it was constructed and put through several iterations and testing. The proposed device's prototype was tested for accuracy, affordability, and usability. The centrifugal fan speed measurement was accurate to within 94.5%, while the oxygen concentration sensor reading was accurate to within 98.5%.

Conclusion

The design investigates viability of a straightforward, inexpensive, portable SpO2 integrated neonatal CPAP device for use in the delivery room in low-resource countries and to evaluates methods for measuring flows during CPAP treatment by monitoring the level of oxygen in the blood and pressure level delivered by the device using the lowest and safest setting that yields useful results.

COVID-19 during pregnancy and risk of pregnancy loss (miscarriage or stillbirth): a systematic review protocol

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to concerns about potential adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with infection, resulting in intensive research. Numerous studies have attempted to examine whether COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss. However, studies and reviews to date have drawn differing conclusions. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a summary of all quantitative research on the relationship between pregnancy loss and COVID-19 infection and, if appropriate, to synthesise the evidence into an overall effect estimate.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Three publication databases (Embase, PubMed and Cochrane) and four preprint databases (medRxiv, Lancet Preprint, Gates Open Research and Wellcome Open Research) will be searched. Boolean logic will be used to combine terms associated with pregnancy loss and COVID-19. The population of interest are pregnant women. Retrieved results will be assessed in two phases: (1) abstract screening and (2) full text evaluation. All studies which compare pregnancy loss outcomes in women who had COVID-19 versus those who did not quantitatively will be included. Narrative and non-English studies will be excluded. Two reviewers will screen independently, with results compared and discrepancies resolved by the study team. Study quality and risk of bias will be assessed using a quality appraisal tool. Results will be summarised descriptively and where possible synthesised in a meta-analysis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review requires no ethical approval. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and provide an important update in a rapidly evolving field of research.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022327437.

Neonatal Outcomes of Pregnant Women With Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019: One-Year Experience of a Tertiary Care Center

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic became an important public health problem affecting all age groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory findings of newborns born to mothers with COVID-19. Thirty pregnant women with COVID-19 were admitted to Turgut Ozal University Hospital for delivery. Fourteen pregnant women had at least one symptom associated with COVID-19. Positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results were seen in only 3 (9.7%) of 31 newborns. A statistically significant difference was observed between PCR-positive and PCR-negative newborns in terms of any adverse pregnancy outcomes. Neonatal lymphocyte count and partial arterial oxygen pressure were significantly lower in the PCR-positive group. Results were also compared according to the interval from the maternal diagnosis time to delivery. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in newborns born to mothers diagnosed more than 7 days before delivery were significantly lower. Neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 had mild clinical symptoms and favorable outcomes.

Pregnant and Postpartum Women Requiring Intensive Care Treatment for COVID-19-First Data from the CRONOS-Registry

(1) Background: Data on coronavirus 2 infection during pregnancy vary. We aimed to describe maternal characteristics and clinical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 positive women requiring intensive care treatment for COVID-19 during pregnancy and postpartum period based on data of a comprehensive German surveillance system in obstetric patients. (2) Methods: Data from COVID-19 Related Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome Study (CRONOS), a prospective multicenter registry for SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women, was analyzed with respect to ICU treatment. All women requiring intensive care treatment for COVID-19 were included and compared regarding maternal characteristics, course of disease, as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes. (3) Results: Of 2650 cases in CRONOS, 101 women (4%) had a documented ICU stay. Median maternal age was 33 (IQR, 30–36) years. COVID-19 was diagnosed at a median gestational age of 33 (IQR, 28–35) weeks. As the most invasive form of COVID-19 treatment interventions, patients received either continuous monitoring of vital signs without further treatment requirement (n = 6), insufflation of oxygen (n = 30), non-invasive ventilation (n = 22), invasive ventilation (n = 28), or escalation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (n = 15). No significant clinical differences were identified between patients receiving different forms of ventilatory support for COVID-19. Prevalence of preterm delivery was significantly higher in women receiving invasive respiratory treatments. Four women died of COVID-19 and six fetuses were stillborn. (4) Conclusions: Our cohort shows that progression of COVID-19 is rare in pregnant and postpartum women treated in the ICU. Preterm birth rate is high and COVID-19 requiring respiratory support increases the risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcome.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women seeking fertility treatment: the patient’s perspective

Purpose

This study sought the views of women with impaired fertility on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their fertility treatment and psychological wellbeing.

Methods

A cross-sectional, anonymous, online questionnaire was completed in June–December 2020 by 249 women attending fertility clinics across Germany. All women seeking treatment in fertility clinics were eligible to participate. The online survey covered questions about the patient’s quality of life, their opinions about the professional societies’ recommendations and their effects as well as any concerns about infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Results

Three-quarters of participants disagreed with the pausing of fertility treatments. Women who participated from October to December 2020, when the incidence rate was high, were as likely to disagree as participants that participated from June to September 2020 (73% vs 79%, p = 0.3). Seventy-two participants (29%) had their appointments cancelled. Nearly all (97%) reported being upset by this, with 40 (56%) reporting that they were extremely or very disappointed about the cancellation. Women who had to wait 10 weeks or longer were more likely to be upset by the postponement or cancellation of their appointment than women who had to wait a shorter amount of time (p = 0.01). Many participants (41%) were worried about possible negative effects a SARS-CoV-2 infection might have related to their fertility, pregnancy or unborn child.

Conclusion

Postponement of treatments increased distress among patients and should be avoided when possible. Fertility clinics must provide information about the current state of knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infections in pregnancies and options for immunization.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-021-06379-y.

COVID-19 and pregnancy: An umbrella review of clinical presentation, vertical transmission, and maternal and perinatal outcomes

BACKGROUND

We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) summarizing the best evidence regarding the effect of COVID-19 on maternal and child health following Cochrane methods and PRISMA statement for reporting (PROSPERO-CRD42020208783).

METHODS

We searched literature databases and COVID-19 research websites from January to October 2020. We selected relevant SRs reporting adequate search strategy, data synthesis, risk of bias assessment, and/or individual description of included studies describing COVID-19 and pregnancy outcomes. Pair of reviewers independently selected studies through COVIDENCE web-software, performed the data extraction, and assessed its quality through the AMSTAR-2 tool. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Each SR's results were synthesized and for the most recent, relevant, comprehensive, and with the highest quality, by predefined criteria, we presented GRADE evidence tables.

RESULTS

We included 66 SRs of observational studies out of 608 references retrieved and most (61/66) had "critically low" overall quality. We found a relatively low degree of primary study overlap across SRs. The most frequent COVID-19 clinical findings during pregnancy were fever (28-100%), mild respiratory symptoms (20-79%), raised C-reactive protein (28-96%), lymphopenia (34-80%), and pneumonia signs in diagnostic imaging (7-99%). The most frequent maternal outcomes were C-section (23-96%) and preterm delivery (14-64%). Most of their babies were asymptomatic (16-93%) or presented fever (0-50%), low birth weight (5-43%) or preterm delivery (2-69%). The odds ratio (OR) of receiving invasive ventilation for COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19 pregnant women was 1.88 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.36-2.60) and the OR that their babies were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit was 3.13 (95%CI 2.05-4.78). The risk of congenital transmission or via breast milk was estimated to be low, but close contacts may carry risks.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive overview supports that pregnant women with COVID-19 may be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and low risk of congenital transmission.

Laboratory Effects of COVID-19 Infection in Pregnant Women and Their Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for further research on its manifestation in pregnant women, since they are particularly prone to respiratory pathogens, like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), due to physiological changes during pregnancy. Its effects on infants born to mothers with COVID-19 are also not well-studied, and more evidence is needed on vertical transmission of the disease from mother to infant and on the transmission of IgG/IgM antibodies between mother and infant. We aim to systematically review and evaluate the effects of COVID-19 among SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant women in late pregnancy and neonates with SARS-CoV-2-positive pregnant mothers using blood assays to find indicators of maternal and neonatal complications. We searched for original published articles in Google Scholar, Medline (PubMed), and Embase databases to identify articles in the English language from December 2019 to July 20, 2020. Duplicate entries were searched by their titles, authors, date of publication, and Digital Object Identifier. The selected studies were included based on patient pregnancy on admission, pregnant mothers with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 virus, maternal/neonatal complications, and blood test results. We excluded duplicate studies, articles where full text was not available, other languages than English, opinions, and perspectives. The meta-analysis using the Generalized Linear Mixed model was conducted using the "meta" and "metaprop" packages in R code. Of the 1,642 studies assessed for eligibility, 29 studies (375 mothers and neonates) were included. Preterm birth rate was 34.2%, and cesarean section rate was 82.7%. Maternal laboratory findings found elevated neutrophils (71.4%; 95% CI: 38.5-90.9), elevated CRP (67.7%; 95%: 50.6-81.1), and low hemoglobin (57.3%; 95% CI: 26.0-87.8). We found platelet count, lactate dehydrogenase, and procalcitonin to be less strongly correlated with preterm birth than between high neutrophil counts (P = 0.0007), low hemoglobin (P = 0.0188), and risk of preterm birth. There is little evidence for vertical transmission. Elevated procalcitonin levels (23.2%; 95% CI: 8.4-49.8) are observed in infants born to mothers with COVID-19, which could indicate risk for neonatal sepsis. These infants may gain passive immunity to COVID-19 through antibody transfer via placenta. These results can guide current obstetrical care during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.