scholarly journals Mystery of perinatal outcomes by COVID-19

Author(s):  
V. K. Das ◽  
Kaveri Pandya ◽  
Bincy Mathew ◽  
Anjali Prajapati

Background: The coronavirus disease is continuously affecting the lives of all people and it has grown into a pandemic. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy in terms of morbidity, mortality as well as perinatal-maternal and foetal outcomes is essential to propose strategies for prevention and infection control. In this study, an attempt has been made to assess the impact of COVID-19 on perinatal outcomes.Methods: It was a retrospective analytical study. The case-files of 47 antenatal mothers who were RT-PCR positive & delivered during the course of treatment were taken for the study.Results: Out of all samples, 91.49% were asymptomatic, 10.63% had pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) as comorbidity, 88.10% had anaemia, 40.43% had WBC count more than 10,000/mm3. 97.87 % of the samples recovered from COVID-19 with routine obstetrical management and only one case was kept on BIPAP support. Perinatal complications like preterm deliveries (27.66%), foetal distress (27.66%), NRNST (19.15%), PROM (4.26%), decreased foetal movement (2.13 %), LBW (6.38%), APGAR<7 at 5 min (15.55%), still birth (4.26%), NICU admission (31.11%), neonatal death (2.13%) were identified. 68.89% neonates were breastfed. The RT-PCR of all neonates came negative on first day of delivery which indicates that there was no vertical transmission. In this study, the results show that the perinatal outcomes are mildly affected by COVID-19.Conclusions: Although COVID-19 doesn’t directly affect perinatal outcomes, it has indirect adverse effects on MCH services. Hence, emergency obstetric and neonatal care is an essential service to be continued with awareness of people while maintaining social distancing and personal hygiene.

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 2035
Author(s):  
Tesfaye S. Mengistu ◽  
Jessica M. Turner ◽  
Christopher Flatley ◽  
Jane Fox ◽  
Sailesh Kumar

While there is clear evidence that severe maternal morbidity (SMM) contributes significantly to poor maternal health outcomes, limited data exist on its impact on perinatal outcomes. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to ascertain the association between SMM and adverse perinatal outcomes in high-income countries (HICs). We searched for full-text publications in PubMed, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Scopus databases. Studies that reported data on the association of SMM and adverse perinatal outcomes, either as a composite or individual outcome, were included. Two authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data, and performed quality assessment using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. We used random-effects modelling to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. We also assessed the risk of publication bias and statistical heterogeneity using funnel plots and Higgins I2, respectively. We defined sub-groups of SMM as hemorrhagic disorders, hypertensive disorders, cardiovascular disorders, hepatic disorders, renal disorders, and thromboembolic disorders. Adverse perinatal outcome was defined as preterm birth (before 37 weeks gestation), small for gestational age (SGA) (birth weight (BW) < 10th centile for gestation), low birthweight (LBW) (BW < 2.5 kg), Apgar score < 7 at 5 min, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, stillbirth and perinatal death (stillbirth and neonatal deaths up to 28 days). A total of 35 studies consisting of 38,909,426 women were included in the final analysis. SMMs associated with obstetric hemorrhage (OR 3.42, 95% CI: 2.55–4.58), severe hypertensive disorders (OR 6.79, 95% CI: 6.06–7.60), hepatic (OR 3.19, 95% CI: 2.46–4.13) and thromboembolic disorders (OR 2.40, 95% CI: 1.67–3.46) were significantly associated with preterm birth. SMMs from hypertensive disorders (OR 2.86, 95% CI: 2.51–3.25) or thromboembolic disorders (OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.09–1.99) were associated with greater odds of having SGA infant. Women with severe hemorrhage had increased odds of LBW infant (OR 2.31, 95% CI: 1.57–3.40). SMMs from obstetric hemorrhage (OR 4.16, 95% CI: 2.54–6.81) or hypertensive disorders (OR 4.61, 95% CI: 1.17–18.20) were associated with an increased odds of low 5-min Apgar score and NICU admission (Severe obstetric hemorrhage: OR 3.34, 95% CI: 2.26–4.94 and hypertensive disorders: OR 3.63, 95% CI: 2.63–5.02, respectively). Overall, women with SMM were 4 times more likely to experience stillbirth (OR 3.98, 95% CI: 3.12–7.60) compared to those without SMM with cardiovascular disease (OR 15.2, 95% CI: 1.29–180.60) and thromboembolic disorders (OR 9.43, 95% CI: 4.38–20.29) conferring greatest risk of this complication. The odds of neonatal death were significantly higher in women with SMM (OR 3.98, 95% CI: 2.44–6.47), with those experiencing hemorrhagic (OR 7.33, 95% CI: 3.06–17.53) and hypertensive complications (OR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.78–5.07) at highest risk. Overall, SMM was also associated with higher odds of perinatal death (OR 4.74, 95% CI: 2.47–9.12) mainly driven by the increased risk in women experiencing severe obstetric hemorrhage (OR 6.18, 95% CI: 2.55–14.96). Our results highlight the importance of mitigating the impact of SMM not only to improve maternal health but also to ameliorate its consequences on perinatal outcomes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahinatou N. Ghapoutsa ◽  
Maurice Boda ◽  
Rashi Gautam ◽  
Valantine Ngum Ndze ◽  
Akongnwi E. Mugyia ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the global roll-out of rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq/Rotarix / ROTAVAC/Rotasiil), mortality and morbidity due to group A rotavirus (RVA) remains high in sub-Saharan Africa, causing 104,000 deaths and 600,000 hospitalizations yearly. In Cameroon, Rotarix™ was introduced in March 2014, but, routine laboratory diagnosis of rotavirus infection is not yet a common practice, and vaccine effectiveness studies to determine the impact of vaccine introduction have not been done. Thus, studies examining RVA prevalence post vaccine introduction are needed. The study aim was to determine RVA prevalence in severe diarrhoea cases in Littoral region, Cameroon and investigate the role of other diarrheagenic pathogens in RVA-positive cases. Methods We carried out a study among hospitalized children < 5 years of age, presenting with acute gastroenteritis in selected hospitals of the Littoral region of Cameroon, from May 2015 to April 2016. Diarrheic stool samples and socio-demographic data including immunization and breastfeeding status were collected from these participating children. Samples were screened by ELISA (ProSpecT™ Rotavirus) for detection of RVA antigen and by gel-based RT-PCR for detection of the VP6 gene. Co-infection was assessed by multiplexed molecular detection of diarrheal pathogens using the Luminex xTAG GPP assay. Results The ELISA assay detected RVA antigen in 54.6% (71/130) of specimens, with 45, positive by VP6 RT-PCR and 54, positive using Luminex xTAG GPP. Luminex GPP was able to detect all 45 VP6 RT-PCR positive samples. Co-infections were found in 63.0% (34/54) of Luminex positive RVA infections, with Shigella (35.3%; 12/34) and ETEC (29.4%; 10/34) detected frequently. Of the 71 ELISA positive RVA cases, 57.8% (41/71) were fully vaccinated, receiving two doses of Rotarix. Conclusion This study provides insight on RVA prevalence in Cameroon, which could be useful for post-vaccine epidemiological studies, highlights higher than expected RVA prevalence in vaccinated children hospitalized for diarrhoea and provides the trend of RVA co-infection with other enteric pathogens. RVA genotyping is needed to determine circulating rotavirus genotypes in Cameroon, including those causing disease in vaccinated children.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e044592
Author(s):  
Alejandro Macchia ◽  
Daniel Ferrante ◽  
Gabriel Battistella ◽  
Javier Mariani ◽  
Fernán González Bernaldo de Quirós

ObjectiveTo summarise the unfolding of the COVID-19 epidemic among slum dwellers and different social strata in the city of Buenos Aires during the first 20 weeks after the first reported case.DesignObservational study using a time-series analysis. Natural experiment in a big city.SettingPopulation of the city of Buenos Aires and the integrated health reporting system records of positive RT-PCR for COVID-19 tests.ParticipantsRecords from the Argentine Integrated Health Reporting System for all persons with suspected and RT-PCR-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between 31 January and 14 July 2020.OutcomesTo estimate the effects of living in a slum on the standardised incidence rate of COVID-19, corrected Poisson regression models were used. Additionally, the impact of socioeconomic status was performed using an ecological analysis at the community level.ResultsA total of 114 052 people were tested for symptoms related with COVID-19. Of these, 39 039 (34.2%) were RT-PCR positive. The incidence rates for COVID-19 towards the end of the 20th week were 160 (155 to 165) per 100 000 people among the inhabitants who did not reside in the slums (n=2 841 997) and 708 (674 to 642) among slums dwellers (n=233 749). Compared with the better-off socioeconomic quintile (1.00), there was a linear gradient on incidence rates: 1.36 (1.25 to 1.46), 1.61 (1.49 to 1.74), 1.86 (1.72 to 2.01), 2.94 (2.74 to 3.16) from Q2 to Q5, respectively. Slum dwellers were associated with an incidence rate of 14.3 (13.4 to 15.4).ConclusionsThe distribution of the epidemic is socially conditioned. Slum dwellers are at a much higher risk than the rest of the community. Slum dwellers should not be considered just another risk category but an entirely different reality that requires policies tailored to their needs.


Author(s):  
Sebastián Videla ◽  
Aurema Otero ◽  
Sara Martí ◽  
M. Ángeles Domínguez ◽  
Nuria Fabrellas ◽  
...  

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic started in December 2019 and still is a major global health challenge. Lockdown measures and social distancing sparked a global shift towards online learning, which deeply impacted universities’ daily life, and the University of Barcelona (UB) was not an exception. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the UB. To that end, we performed a cross-sectional study on a sample of 2784 UB members (n = 52,529). Participants answered a brief, ad hoc, online epidemiological questionnaire and provided a nasal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 analysis and a venous blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay. Total prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR or positive IgG) was 14.9% (95%CI 13.3 to 17.0%). Forty-four participants (1.6%, 95%CI: 1.2–2.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. IgG against SARS-CoV-2 was observed in 12.8% (95%CI: 11.6–14.1%) of participants. Overall, while waiting for population vaccination and/or increased herd immunity, we should concentrate on identifying and isolating new cases and their contacts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1564
Author(s):  
Clara Pons-Duran ◽  
Aina Casellas ◽  
Azucena Bardají ◽  
Anifa Valá ◽  
Esperança Sevene ◽  
...  

Sub-Saharan Africa concentrates the burden of HIV and the highest adolescent fertility rates. However, there is limited information about the impact of the interaction between adolescence and HIV infection on maternal health in the region. Data collected prospectively from three clinical trials conducted between 2003 and 2014 were analysed to evaluate the association between age, HIV infection, and their interaction, with the risk of maternal morbidity and adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women from southern Mozambique. Logistic regression and negative binomial models were used. A total of 2352 women were included in the analyses; 31% were adolescents (≤19 years) and 29% HIV-infected women. The effect of age on maternal morbidity and pregnancy and perinatal adverse outcomes was not modified by HIV status. Adolescence was associated with an increased incidence of hospital admissions (IRR 0.55, 95%CI 0.37–0.80 for women 20–24 years; IRR 0.60, 95%CI 0.42–0.85 for women >25 years compared to adolescents; p-value < 0.01) and outpatient visits (IRR 0.86, 95%CI 0.71–1.04; IRR 0.76, 95%CI 0.63–0.92; p-value = 0.02), and an increased likelihood of having a small-for-gestational age newborn (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.38–0.65; OR 0.43, 95%CI 0.34–0.56; p-value < 0.001), a low birthweight (OR 0.40, 95%CI 0.27–0.59; OR 0.37, 95%CI 0.26–0.53; p-value <0.001) and a premature birth (OR 0.42, 95%CI 0.24–0.72; OR 0.51, 95%CI 0.32–0.82; p-value < 0.01). Adolescence was associated with an increased risk of poor morbidity, pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, irrespective of HIV infection. In addition to provision of a specific maternity care package for this vulnerable group interventions are imperative to prevent adolescent pregnancy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigeki Koshida ◽  
Shinsuke Tokoro ◽  
Daisuke Katsura ◽  
Shunichiro Tsuji ◽  
Takashi Murakami ◽  
...  

AbstractMaternal perception of decreased fetal movement is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Although there have been several studies on interventions related to the fetal movements count, most focused on adverse perinatal outcomes, and little is known about the impact of the fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement. We investigated the impact of the daily fetal movement count on maternal behavior after the perception of decreased fetal movement and on the stillbirth rate in this prospective population-based study. Pregnant women in Shiga prefecture of Japan were asked to count the time of 10 fetal movements from 34 weeks of gestation. We analyzed 101 stillbirths after the intervention compared to 121 stillbirths before the intervention. In multivariable analysis, maternal delayed visit to a health care provider after the perception of decreased fetal movement significantly reduced after the intervention (aOR 0.31, 95% CI 0.11–0.83). Our regional stillbirth rates in the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods were 3.06 and 2.70 per 1000 births, respectively. Informing pregnant women about the fetal movement count was associated with a reduction in delayed maternal reaction after the perception of decreased fetal movement, which might reduce stillbirths.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Shakespeare ◽  
Handsome Dube ◽  
Sikhangezile Moyo ◽  
Solwayo Ngwenya

Abstract Background On the 27th of March 2020 the Zimbabwean government declared the Covid-19 pandemic a ‘national disaster’. Travel restrictions and emergency regulations have had significant impacts on maternity services, including resource stock-outs, and closure of antenatal clinics during the lockdown period. Estimates of the indirect impact of Covid-19 on maternal and perinatal mortality was expected it to be considerable, but little data was yet available. This study aimed to examine the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown control measures on non-Covid outcomes in a government tertiary level maternity unit in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, by comparing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality before, and after the lockdown was implemented. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study, using a cross-sectional design to compare routine monthly maternal and perinatal statistics three months before and after Covid-19 emergency measures were implemented at Mpilo Central Hospital. Results Between January-March and April-June 2020, the mean monthly deliveries reduced from 747.3 (SD ± 61.3) in the first quarter of 2020 to 681.0 (SD ± 17.6) during lockdown, but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.20. The Caesarean section rates fell from a mean of 29.8% (SD ± 1.7) versus 28.0% (SD ± 1.7), which was also not statistically significant, p = 0.18. During lockdown, the percentage of women delivering at Mpilo Central Hospital who were booked at the hospital fell from a mean of 41.6% (SD ± 1.1) to 35.8% (SD ± 4.3) which was statistically significant, p = 0.03. There was no significant change, however, in maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity (such as post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), uterine rupture, and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia), stillbirth rate or special care baby unit admission. There was an increase in the mean total number of early neonatal deaths (ENND) (mean 18.7 (SD ± 2.9) versus 24.0 (SD ± 4.6), but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.32. Conclusions Overall, maternity services at Mpilo showed resilience during the lockdown period, with no significant change in maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes, with the same number of man-hours worked before and during the lockdown Maternal and perinatal outcomes should continue to be monitored to assess the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown measures as the pandemic in Zimbabwe unfolds. Further studies would be beneficial to explore women’s experiences and understand how bookings and deliveries at local clinics changed during this time.


Author(s):  
Ron M Kagan ◽  
Amy A Rogers ◽  
Gwynngelle A Borillo ◽  
Nigel J Clarke ◽  
Elizabeth M Marlowe

Abstract Background The use of a remote specimen collection strategy employing a kit designed for unobserved self-collection for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR can decrease the use of PPE and exposure risk. To assess the impact of unobserved specimen self-collection on test performance, we examined results from a SARS-CoV-2 qualitative RT-PCR test for self-collected specimens from participants in a return-to-work screening program and assessed the impact of a pooled testing strategy in this cohort. Methods Self-collected anterior nasal swabs from employee return to work programs were tested using the Quest Diagnostics SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR EUA. The Ct values for the N1 and N3 N-gene targets and a human RNase P (RP) gene control target were tabulated. For comparison, we utilized Ct values from a cohort of HCP-collected specimens from patients with and without COVID-19 symptoms. Results Among 47,923 participants, 1.8% were positive. RP failed to amplify for 13/115,435 (0.011%) specimens. The median (IQR) Cts were 32.7 (25.0-35.7) for N1 and 31.3 (23.8-34.2) for N3. Median Ct values in the self-collected cohort were significantly higher than those of symptomatic, but not asymptomatic patients. Based on Ct values, pooled testing with 4 specimens would have yielded inconclusive results in 67/1,268 (5.2%) specimens but only a single false-negative result. Conclusions Unobserved self-collection of nasal swabs provides adequate sampling for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing. These findings alleviate concerns of increased false negatives in this context. Specimen pooling could be used for this population as the likelihood of false negative results is very low due when using a sensitive, dual-target methodology.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S253-S254
Author(s):  
Amy Nham ◽  
Ryan M Close

Abstract Background American Indians have an increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19 due to the high prevalence of comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and asthma. To date, there has been limited analysis of COVID-19 in the AI population. This study describes the characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from a well-defined AI population in eastern Arizona. Additionally, we explored the impact of early referral via contact tracing versus those who self-presented. Methods Retrospective chart reviews were completed for patients hospitalized for COVID from March 29 to May 16, 2020. Summary statistics were used to describe demographics, symptoms, pre-existing conditions, and hospitalization data. Results We observed 447 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 71 (15.9%) hospitalizations over a 7-week period and a hospitalization rate of 159 per 1,000 persons. Of the 50 hospitalizations reviewed sequentially, 56% were female, median age of 55 (IQR 44–65). Median number of days hospitalized was 4 (2–6), with 16% requiring intensive care unit support, 15% intubated, 12% readmitted, and 10% deceased. 67% had an epidemiological link, and 32% had an emergency department or outpatient clinic visit within 7 days of hospitalization. All patients were symptomatic; the most common symptoms were cough (90%), shortness of breath (78%), and subjective fever (66%). 86% of patients had a pre-existing condition; the most common pre-existing conditions were diabetes (66%), obesity (58%), and hypertension (52%, Figure 1). All patients had elevated LDH, 94% had elevated CRP, 86% had elevated d-dimer, and 40% had lymphopenia; only 10% had an elevated WBC count and 26% had thrombocytopenia (Table 1). 26% of the patients were referred in by the tracing team (Table 2). Analysis of 500 hospitalizations will be available in October 2020. Conclusion Most AI patients hospitalized had a pre-existing condition, symptoms of cough or shortness of breath, and elevated LDH, CRP, and d-dimer. More research is needed to understand the patterns of COVID-19 related disease in vulnerable populations, like AI/AN, and to examine the utility of early referral by contact tracing teams in rural settings which may guide future tracing strategies. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 348
Author(s):  
Friederike Weschenfelder ◽  
Friederike Hein ◽  
Thomas Lehmann ◽  
Ekkehard Schleußner ◽  
Tanja Groten

The aim of diabetes care of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is to attain pregnancy outcomes including rates of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns, pre-eclampsia, C-sections (CS) and other neonatal outcomes similar to those of the non-GDM pregnant population. Obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy have been shown to also impact perinatal outcome. Since GDM is frequently associated with elevated body mass index (BMI), we evaluated the impact of maternal prepregnancy BMI, development of GDM and gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy on perinatal outcome. We compared 614 GDM patients with 5175 non-diabetic term deliveries who gave birth between 2012 and 2016. Multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent contribution of each factor on selected perinatal outcome variables. Additionally, subgroup analysis for obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese women (BMI < 30 kg/m2) was performed. LGA was significantly influenced by BMI, GWG and GDM, while Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admission was solely impacted by GDM. Maternal outcomes were not dependent on GDM but on GWG and prepregnancy BMI. These results remained significant in the non-obese subgroup only. Thus, GDM still affects perinatal outcomes and requires further improvement in diabetic care and patient counseling.


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