Respiratory consequences of N95-type Mask usage in pregnant healthcare workers—a controlled clinical study

Tong, Pearl Shuang Ye; Kale, Anita Sugam; Ng, Kailyn; Loke, Amelia Peiwen; Choolani, Mahesh Arjandas; Lim, Chin Leong; Chan, Yiong Huak; Chong, Yap Seng; Tambyah, Paul Anantharajah; Yong, Eu-Leong

Wearing the Hans Rudolph mask with aperture occluded by the mask material allows accurate measurement of respiratory parameters despite its use not being exactly the same as the standard use of the N95mask. However this is the closest way of obtaining accurate physiologic data to best characterize the impact of the materials used in the respirators. The other limitation of our study was the narrow window of gestation studied (between 27 to 32 weeks). These group of women were deemed to be representative of pregnant women as they would have undergone marked respiratory adaptations to pregnancy, especially diaphragmatic splinting from the enlarging uterus. However, it is postulated that, in situations of exercising at a higher intensity, prolonged N95-mask usage or at more advanced gestations, a greater degree of oxygen deficit due to a corresponding decrease in V E can have more marked effects on the respiratory function of pregnant women. We also focused exclusively on pregnant women without using nonpregnant controls to better define the risks in this group which are the most controversial.