Pregnancy and COVID-19: what anesthesiologists should know

Minerva Anestesiol. 2021 Jan;87(1):77-84. doi: 10.23736/S0375-9393.20.14647-9. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Abstract

Introduction: Anesthetic management of parturients with COVID-19 is a big challenge to anesthesiologists. Limited data are available about COVID-19 during pregnancy; however, information on illnesses associated with SARS and MERS might provide insights into COVID-19's effects during pregnancy.

Evidence acquisition: Evidence from previous reports from SARS and MERS, and from COVID-19 cases were reviewed. Concepts from guidelines from the government and academic societies were collected as well.

Evidence synthesis: The evidence was described and summarized.

Conclusions: Principles to minimize the risk of infection as well as optimize patients' safety during obstetric anesthesia were found to include careful evaluation, tight protection, and multi-discipline-based strategy. Though vertical transmission of COVID-19 still needs more definitive evidence, strict isolation is necessary for the newborn of COVID-19 mothers. Psychological support for the parturients is also an important issue during COVID-19 pandemic.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anesthesiologists*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Female
  • Guidelines as Topic
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / therapy*