Abstract:

Objective: To assess vertical transmission of COVID-19 in pregnant women and to quantify the maternal and fetal outcomes. Study Design: A case series. Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from May, 2020 to May, 2020. Methodology: In this case series clinical record of 20 consecutive pregnant women was reviewed who presented with COVID-19 in the Gynae & Obstetrics department of Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi from 1st May, 2020 to 31st May, 2020. The demographic and clinical details were noted. The maternal outcomes in terms of mode of delivery, signs like shortness of breath, oxygen saturation, ventilator support etc. were noted. For fetal outcomes vertical transmission, APGAR score, birth weight, and admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were analyzed. Results: No maternal or fetal adverse outcomes in terms of maternal severe morbidity and mortality or fetal morbidity and mortality were noted. There were 4 women with symptoms of covid-19 (cough=2) and (body ache=2) rest were asymptomatic. All 20 neonates were observed in the nursery/Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 24 hours after birth. None of them developed any complication. No vertical transmission of COVID-19 was found on the basis of PCR conducted 1 week apart after delivery. Conclusion: There was no vertical transmission of COVID-19 in 20 pregnant women. There could be a relation between severity of symptoms and vertical transmission as in this study majority of cases were asymptomatic, which should be studied further.

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