Obstetric Patients with Coronavirus Disease: Symptoms, Critical Illness and Mortality

Background aim: Infection with COVID-19 during pregnancy increased some of the complications such as preterm labor, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, maternal mortality, and adverse neonatal outcomes. The aim of the present study was evaluation of symptoms, critical illness, and mortality among pregnant patients with COVID-19 in Mashhad, North East Iran.Methods: This descriptive retrospective study included pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnoses referred to one of the teaching hospitals in Mashhad between February 20, 2020, and September 21, 2022, using census method. The patients were stratified into symptomatic mild, moderate, and severe cases, according to the classification of National Institute of Health (NIH), USA. Data analysis was done using SPSS 26 by Student’s t-test, logistic regression, and chi-square test.Results: Out of 460 pregnant women, sixteen symptoms were reported by the patients with dyspnea being the most frequent. Cough, fever (P= 0.00), abdominal pain (P= 0.04), and chills (P= 0.03) were significantly more frequently observed among the ICU-admitted patients. The least common symptom was flank pain. Women with severe disease who died were at significantly higher risk for fever, cough, and dyspnea. 116 (25.2%) cases had severe disease and were admitted to the ICU and 5.7% expired. Hospitalization in the ICU was the most important predictor of death (B=-22.286, P=0.00).Conclusion: The study indicates that pregnant women who experience symptoms such as fever, dyspnea, cough, chills, or abdominal pain are more susceptible to severe COVID-19.