72% pregnant women with Covid-19 are asymptomatic: Study

Almost 72 per cent of pregnant patients who tested positive were asymptomatic, meaning they did not display any symptoms associated with Covid-19.

By: Satata Karmakar | | Published: December 12, 2020 1:54 pm

Majority of Covid-19 positive pregnant women are asymptomatic

A new study has found that the majority of pregnant women, who tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival to the delivery room were asymptomatic. Also Read - Akshay Kumar, Piyush Mishra, Sonam Kapoor and more Bollywood celebs who opened up on facing sexual abuse in childhood

In a retrospective cross-sectional study of universal screenings for SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 implemented in the labour and delivery unit of Elmhurst hospital at Queens, New York, during March and April, the researchers found that more than one-third of nearly 130 pregnant women tested positive for the coronavirus. Also Read - Test Article 2 Covid 19 3rd wave

WHY ARE PREGNANT WOMEN VULNERABLE TO COVID-19

According to the study published in the journal ‘PLOS One’, this is a much higher proportion than reported at other hospitals in New York City during the pandemic surge, and are likely related to social inequities experienced by the surrounding population. Also Read - COVID-19 Live Updates: Cases in India surge to 10,757,610 while death toll reaches 1,54,392 12d

Almost 72 per cent of pregnant patients who tested positive were asymptomatic, meaning they did not display any symptoms associated with Covid-19.

These findings add to the evidence that there was early and rampant asymptomatic spread of the disease at a time when most of the community and hospital testing was limited to symptomatic individuals.

“This study is instructive for other labour and delivery units, and hospitals across the world as we continue to refine pandemic preparedness,” said study author Dr Sheela Maru from the Mount Sinai hospital in the US.

“In future epidemics, it may be prudent to look at labour and delivery screening numbers much earlier on, as pregnant women continue to seek essential care despite social-distancing measures and also represent the generally young and healthy community population,” Dr Maru added.

THE RISK FACTORS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Dr Maru said universal screening in the labour and delivery unit ensured the safety of patients and staff during an acute surge in Covid-19 infections through appropriate identification and isolation of pregnant women with positive test results.

In addition to their status for Covid-19, the study reviewed patients’ demographic data, including age, ethnicity, primary language, zip code, marital status, health insurance status and clinical data, including the mode of delivery, length of stay, and comorbidities such as chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, pre-pregnancy obesity, asthma, diabetes, depression and anxiety.

Earlier, a study published in the journal ‘JAMA Network Open’ revealed that 95 per cent of women who tested positive for Covid-19 during pregnancy had no adverse outcomes.

RISKS FOR THE NEWBORNS AND THE MOTHER

According to the reports, pregnant or recently pregnant women with COVID-19 were more likely to give birth prematurely. The findings also show that 1 in 4 of all babies born to women with COVID-19, were admitted to a neonatal unit but data on causes of preterm births or indications for admission to neonatal units among these babies are lacking. Stillbirth and newborn death rates, however, were low.

PRECAUTIONS FOR THE PREGNANT MOTHER OR NEW MOTHERS

Take care of yourself and your baby
Stay at home and avoid meeting outsiders. Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub. Prepare for delivery and make arrangements to reach the hospital. It is safer to deliver in a hospital, even during the COVID-19 pandemic
Always be alert on pregnancy-related warning signs. Continue visiting your doctor on a regular interval.
Wash hands before and after touching and feeding your baby. Wash clothes and sterilize all utensils & articles that come in contact with you or your baby.
Wear a medical mask while breastfeeding the baby. Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rub before feeding. Routine clean and disinfect surfaces around you. Keep at least 1-meter distance from others.

Published : December 12, 2020 1:54 pm

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