Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition
Open Access

Abstract

Investigating the Effect of COVID-19 during Pregnancy on Maternal and Neonatal Outcome

Shahrzad Zolala, Fereshteh Moradi, Leila Sharifi, Ali Hosseininasab, Zohreh Salari, Zahra Shahriyari, Fatemeh Shojayee, Mansooreh Safizadeh, Masumeh GHazanfar Pour and Katayoun Alidousti*

Background: Physiological changes during pregnancy make the mother vulnerable to infections. Previous respiratory diseases have been found to cause maternal and neonatal complications. So present study was conducted to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy, child birth, and the newborn.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 653 pregnant women for 6 months in 2021 in Southeastern Iran (372 with COVID-19 during pregnancy and 281 without exposure). The questionnaire of demographic characteristics, maternal medical and midwifery records, and a checklist of observations and reports of pregnancy outcomes were completed for participants who consented to participate in the study.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.23 ± 6.35 years. The majority of them (91.88%) were homemakers. The mean gestational age of participants at the study time was 35.88 ± 4.34 weeks. COVID-positive mothers were (95% CI: 2.1 to 7.9) more likely to have a pre labor rupture of membranes than mothers without COVID. Additionally, meconium excretion was 11.62 times more likely in COVID-positive mothers. The infant was more likely to be admitted to the NICU, and the birth weight was lower than the control group.

Conclusions: Due to the maternal and neonatal complications caused by COVID-19, leading to an increased risk of maternal and infant mortality, screening of pregnant women, their vaccination, more accurate pregnancy care, and delivery in centers with more facilities are recommended.

Published Date: 2023-05-02; Received Date: 2023-01-21