The obstetric patient in the Covid pandemic: anaesthesia and perioperative care

Khan, Ayub; Patrick, Adam; Patil, Vinod; Nnochiri, Akobundu; Wijayatilake, Sanjay

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: : The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on pregnant women, maternity services and healthcare workers. We review recent literature on the course of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy, and recommendations for treatment and service provision. RECENT FINDINGS: It has been increasingly recognised that pregnant women are at higher risk of severe disease associated with COVID-19 infection. Early critical care input is crucial to guide respiratory support and techniques such as prone positioning, with a low threshold for intubation in critical illness. Timing of delivery remains a highly individualised decision. Following the RECOVERY trial, the use of a course of steroids in cases of severe COVID-19 infection has been widely adopted, and emerging guidance recommends vaccination in pregnant women. SUMMARY: Rapidly emerging evidence has helped guide clinicians to identify those patients most at risk of severe disease in COVID-19 and implement early interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality.