Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancy

Maged El-Goly, Ahmed M.; Metwally, Ahmed A.

This chapter describes the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in the general population with special consideration to diagnosis in pregnant women. Diagnosis includes the clinical characteristics including symptoms and signs of infection, similarities and differences between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other viral infections particularly influenza, and diagnostic investigations including nucleic acid amplification test, SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen detection, and antibodies against the virus testing. WHO recommendations for testing were discussed. The value of different laboratory investigations in diagnosis and prognosis was highlighted. Explanation of data related to chest imaging and discussion of indications of imaging and different findings were assessed.