Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the current pandemic situation caused due to SARS-CoV2, is being a constant worry for the global population
without any conclusive data on vaccines or treatments. Several countries like
India and USA are facing a boom in the numbers and community transmission is
afoot. Although majority of the infections are mild, severity of the
coronavirus disease cases are primarily caused in the elderly people and people
having underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or kidney
disease.
Pregnant women are specifically
vulnerable to several infectious diseases that can cause maternal and fetal-related
adverse outcomes as immunological and physiological malfunctioning during
pregnancy are the gestational loopholes responsible for an increased
risk.According to prior reports in history, during the previous SARS-CoV and
MERS-CoV outbreak, several pregnant women acquired the coronavirus infection.
SARS-CoV was associated with severe maternal illness& death, pre-term
delivery, spontaneous abortion, severe intrauterine growth restriction, and newborn
complications (might be gastrointestinal. Aside from SARS-CoV, MERS-CoVinfected
pregnant women also reported cases of several maternal and neonatal deaths and
stillbirths.
Clinical Reports on Maternal health issues during
COVID-19
Currently, over
20 case reports and case series presenting maternal and neo-natal complicacies
have been published related to COVID-19. The clinical and scientific research
communities are putting an immense effort in sharing information on maternal
health during COVID-19. Although the signs of COVID19 symptoms are similar in
case of pregnant and non-pregnant women, it is evident that pregnant women
appear to be more susceptible to coronavirus disease as they harbor a
compromised immune system. According to a study published in Fetal PediatrPathol. Journal, there
is no evidence for vertical transmission of the virus from infected mothers to
the fetus though reports in JAMA Pediatr.andJAMA journals showed a few COVID-19
positive neonatal children after birth. Several maternal and fetal adverse
outcomes have also been reported in several published reports and these health
adversities include preterm delivery, low birth weight, newborn respiratory
complications and fetal distress.Among these critical conditions, preterm
delivery has been considered as the leading cause of death in young children
under five years of age. Therefore, pregnant women should be specially
considered in management of COVID-19 prevention and treatment strategies all
over the world.
Need of the Hour
Pregnant women
and neonatal population constitute one of the most vulnerable coronavirus
affected section all over the world and well directed efforts are critical to
ensure health and well being. The WHO,
and other international health organizations have already issued some interim
recommendations for the management of SARS-CoV2 affected pregnant women to
advise against unnecessary panic and encourage more breastfeeding to increase
immunity in the community. Moreover, besides primary health services and home
visits, pregnant women should be able to easily avail dedicated professional
telemedicine or teleconsultationpersonnel to ensure early detection of any
pregnancy related complication.But first and foremost, we need to make sure
that there are enough valid data and follow up on the impact of COVID-19 on
pregnant women and neonates by methodical and periodic screening of any
suspected coronavirus infection during pregnancy.
