Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection During Pregnancy In China: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Mingzhu Yin; Lijuan Zhang; Guangtong Deng; Chaofei Han; Minxue Shen; Hongyin Sun; Furong Zeng; Wei Zhang; Lan Chen; Qingqing Luo; Dujuan Yao; Min Wu; Shihuan Yu; Hui Chen; David Baud; Xiang Chen

However, SARS-CoV-2 is far more severe and infectious than SARS-CoV, and has become a global health emergency. 4, [7] [8] [9] Although numerous studies have illuminated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of general population with COVID-19, 2, 8 little has been reported about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women. 10, 11 To our knowledge, a study by Huang and colleagues reported that the clinical characteristics of nine pregnant women with COVID-19 resembled those in the general population. 12 Another study including ten pregnant patients demonstrated that perinatal SARS-CoV-2 infection had adverse effects on newborns such as fetal distress and even death. 13 Moreover, a case described that a pregnant woman with COVID-19 delivered a healthy neonate with no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection during her 30 weeks pregnancy. 14 However, these series of cases had limitations for their small size and lack of control group. Therefore, there are still debates on whether pregnant women have a different disease course and outcomes, considering the physiological changes in cell-mediated immunity and pulmonary function during pregnancy. 15 In this study, we conducted retrospective cohort study to compare the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant women and non-pregnant women. We hope these findings will facilitate efforts, both in China and globally, to make and manage public health planning for pregnant women with COVID-19.