Pregnancy outcomes of COVID-19 infection in Iraqi women presented to primary health care center

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 pandemic disease had great impact on health status in Iraq. The pregnant women and their infants might be at higher risk after infection by COVID-19 disease.  
Aim of study: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal characteristics of pregnant women infected by COVID-19 disease and assessing the maternal and neonatal outcomes in Iraqi from a sample of pregnant women. Patients & Methods: A clinical prospective follow up study carried out in Obstetrics care unit of Al-Jamiaa health care center of Al-Adil Health sector of Al-Karkh Health Directorate in Baghdad city-Iraq. The duration of the study  was  six  months  through  the  period  from  1st   of  July  to  end  of  December, 2020. A convenient sample of 132 pregnant women at labour was  selected  after  eligibility  to  inclusion  and  exclusion  criteria.  The pregnant women enrolled in the study were tested by COVID-19-Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test at their admission to hospital.   The diagnosis was done by clinical and laboratory investigations including  neutophilia  and  lymphopenia,  very  high  CRP,  elevated  D-dimer  and sometimes on extent of lung involvement by x-ray.  
Results: The present study showed that 63.6% of pregnant women at labour room had positive COVID-19 infection, while only 6 (4.5%) fetuses had positive COVID-19 infection after delivery. There was a highly significant association between first cesarean section of pregnant women and positive COVID-19 infection (p<0.001). A significant association was observed between  preterm  labour  of  fetuses  and  positive  maternal  COVID-19 infection (p=0.01). There was a significant association between meconium aspiration of fetuses and positive maternal COVID-19 infection (p=0.001). Conclusions: The incidence of maternal and fetal COVID-19 infection among sample of Iraqi pregnant women presented to primary health care center for antenatal care is high.