CHARACTERISTICS, CLINICAL FINDINGS AND OUTCOMES OF 333 PREGNANT WOMEN WITH COVID-19 DURING FOUR WAVES OF INFECTION AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN TURKEY

Abstract

Background/Aims: Since the first case of SARS-CoV-2 in Turkey, it was confirmed in over 14 million people causing almost 95,000 of deaths. During the two years course of pandemic SARS-CoV-2 caused 4 waves of disease in Turkey. To enhance our knowledge on initial presentation, clinical course and severity, risk factors, and pregnancy outcomes of COVID-19 infection during the four different waves of pandemic. Methods: Clinical records of 333 pregnant women with a verified positive PCR test was reviewed. The distribution of the patients during the two-year course of the pandemic was studied. Descriptive data regarding maternal age, body mass index (BMI), education, employment status, ABO blood type, previous obstetric history, previous medical history, smoking status were collected. Maternal and immediate perinatal outcomes were examined. The primary endpoint of the study was comparison of four waves during the pandemic in terms of admission to ICU, use of mechanical ventilation or maternal and neonatal death. Results: The distribution of number of the patients followed the same pattern as the general population in Turkey, except first wave, which did not seem to affect pregnants. Most of the patients and all the maternal deaths were accumulated in the second and fourth waves. Those with more severe disease were older, at an earlier gestational age, and had a higher BMI. Conclusion: The severity of the COVID-19 disease was strongly associated with the maternal age and gestational age. The worst maternal outcomes of the disease were detected during the second and fourth waves in Turkey.