Poorer Obstetrics Outcomes During the Second Wave of COVID-19 in India

Mohini; Subhadra Priyadarshini; Sudhanshu Kumar Rath; Chandini Verma; Asima Das

doi:10.1007/s13224-022-01641-y

Poorer Obstetrics Outcomes During the Second Wave of COVID-19 in India

J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2022 Oct;72(5):402-408. doi: 10.1007/s13224-022-01641-y. Epub 2022 May 4.

Authors

Mohini¹, Subhadra Priyadarshini², Sudhanshu Kumar Rath¹, Chandini Verma¹, Asima Das¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kalinga Institute of Medical Science, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India.
² Research and Development, Kalinga Institute of Medical Science, KIIT Deemed to Be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha India.

Abstract

Introduction: Outcomes of pregnancy in COVID 19-infected mothers are worse than in the general population. Due to immunological changes, antenatal women are more vulnerable to severe complications. The India has experienced two waves of the disease. We analysed whether the second wave of the disease had affected pregnancy outcomes differently by comparing pregnancy outcomes with those of the first wave.

Materials and method: The study population included all the women delivered in the same tertiary centre during both the waves. Maternal outcome parameters include maternal oxygen requirement, maternal ICU admission and maternal death. Foetal outcome parameters include APGAR scores, preterm deliveries and NICU admissions, maternal and foetal outcome parameters between the first and the second waves were compared.

Results: Demographic parameters were similar in both the waves of COVID 19. No significant differences were found in pre-pregnancy comorbidities, high-risk pregnancies and mode of deliveries between the two waves. Maternal oxygen requirement increased in the second wave [first wave 6(4.7%) vs second wave 25(40.3%) (p-value < 0.001)]. There was also a significant increase in ICU admission [4(3.1%) vs 8(12.9%)], which was in positive correlation with maternal oxygen requirement during the second wave (r = 0.81, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in maternal death [2(1.6%) vs 2(3.2%)]. No significant change noted in neonatal outcomes except for an increase in neonatal sepsis [0 vs 5(8.1%)].

Conclusion: Mothers had more severe diseases during the second wave. But this did not translate into significant increase in maternal mortality and poor neonatal outcomes, possibly due to better preparedness.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pregnancy outcomes; Second wave.