COVID-Infected Pregnant Women At Risk Of Pre-Term Birth, ICU Admission: Study

Victoria (Canada): COVID-19 cases are on the rise in several countries, including India.

If that is a cause for concern, a recent study on the effect of coronavirus on pregnant women is just as worrisome.

A Canadian study has found that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy may lead to increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes and premature birth.

The study, by researchers from University of British Columbia (UBC) and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) also showed that COVID-infected pregnant women face a greater risk of ICU admission.

“It is important that pregnant people consider the increased risk and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their infant by getting vaccinated, getting boosted and avoiding exposure to COVID-19 where possible,” said Dr Deborah Money, a professor at UBC’s department of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Also Read: Pregnant Women Who Receive COVID-19 Vaccination Pass Protection To Their Newborns: Study

Dr Elisabeth McClymont, UBC post-doctoral fellow and first author of the research, said pre-term births can result in serious and lifelong impacts on the infant.

The study found that of the 6,012 pregnant individuals carrying the coronavirus in Canada, 35.7% were diagnosed at 28 to 37 weeks of gestation. Of them, 466 (7.75%) required hospitalization and 121 (2.01%) had to be admitted to ICU.

Last year, Niti Aayog member (health) DR VK Paul had advised pregnant women should get vaccinated.

Higher the age and more the comorbidities like high blood pressure, greater the risk.

Those who were fully vaccinated were at a lower risk of experiencing adverse maternal outcomes.