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(CNN) – Researchers are learning more about what pregnant women can experience if they are infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Pregnant and newly pregnant women who are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the hospital appear to be less likely to have symptoms of fever and muscle pain, but more likely to be admitted to the intensive care unit, according to a new article published in BMJ Medical. daily on Tuesday. The study also found that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of having preterm labor, but preterm birth rates were not high.
“We found that one in 10 pregnant or newly pregnant women who attend or are admitted to hospital for any reason are diagnosed with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, although the rates vary,” the researchers, from various institutions in Europe and China. – wrote in the newspaper.
The researchers reviewed 77 studies on COVID-19 in pregnant and newly pregnant women, published between December 1 and June 26.
Together, those studies included data on 13,118 pregnant and newly pregnant women with COVID-19 and 83,486 non-pregnant women of reproductive age who also had COVID-19.
“Covid-19-related symptoms of fever and myalgia (muscle pain) occur less frequently in pregnant and newly pregnant women than in non-pregnant women of reproductive age,” the researchers wrote.
“Pregnant or newly pregnant women with COVID-19 appear to be at increased risk of requiring admission to an intensive care unit or invasive ventilation.”
Older women, heavier women, and women with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or other chronic conditions may also be at higher risk for serious disease, they said.
The researchers also found in those studies that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at increased risk of having preterm birth and having their babies admitted to the neonatal unit, although overall spontaneous preterm birth rates were not high. In addition, the rates of neonatal and intrauterine fetal death were low, the researchers found.
The studies used in the review mainly reported on pregnant women requiring hospital visits and not many studies reported results by trimester.
“Reviews like this can only be as good as the studies they summarize and it is important to note that a high proportion of the included studies are at substantial risk of bias,” said Dr Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Health. at Britain’s Oxford University, it said in a statement released Tuesday by the UK-based Science Media Center.
“It is also important to recognize that, while this review reports high rates of preterm birth, several women affected by COVID-19 during pregnancy are still pregnant and therefore not included in the study data. This may make artificially high preterm birth rates appear, “Knight said. “However, some pregnant women affected by COVID-19 may have a subsequent preterm delivery and prevention of infection remains essential.”
Dr. Edward Morris, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in another statement Tuesday that the new article provides “a welcome and comprehensive synthesis of the available research” on COVID-19 in pregnancy.
“While the overall risks for pregnant women from the coronavirus are low, the findings from this study highlight the particular risks for pregnant women,” Morris said. “Pregnant women are included in the moderate risk list as a precautionary measure, and therefore pregnant women should continue to follow the latest government guidelines on social distancing and avoid anyone with symptoms suggestive of coronavirus.”
This story was first published on CNN.com. New COVID-19 Study Reveals More About Possible Risks for Pregnant Women
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