One year into the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: perinatal outcome and data on the transmission of 116 pregnant women

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Report of clinical data on maternal outcomes, mode of delivery and immediate neonatal outcome in women infected with COVID-19, as well as clarifying whether the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 could occur in utero (congenital), intrapartum, and/or postnatally through breastmilk, amniotic fluid or cord blood. Methods Retrospective data collection. Evidence of vertical transmission was assessed by testing for SARS-CoV-2 in amniotic fluid, cord blood, maternal liquor, breast milk and neonatal pharyngeal swab samples. Results 8.9% (n=8) of the total population of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women were admitted to a critical care unit, one (0.9%) needed extracorporal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and one woman died (0.9%). The premature birth rate before 34+0 weeks of gestational age of 8.2% (n=8) among pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, was almost four times higher than among the total population of pregnant women in Austria. Two newborns (2%) were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after birth. No SARS-CoV-2 was found in amniotic fluid, cord blood, maternal liquor or breast milk using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Conclusions Pregnant women with COVID-19 seem to be at a higher risk of invasive ventilation, admission to a critical care unit and pre-term birth and therefore they should be considered as a high-risk population. The risk of congenital or intrapartal infection seems to be insignificant.