Abstract
Objective Our objective was to evaluate the association between severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2
(SARS-CoV-2) serologic status in immunologically naive patients and the risk of preeclampsia
at the time of delivery.
Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients admitted to our institution
from August 1 to September 30, 2020. We recorded maternal medical and obstetric characteristics
and SARS-CoV-2 serologic status. Our primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia.
Antibody testing was performed, and patients were classified into seropositive groups:
immunoglobulin (Ig)G + , IgM + , or both IgG+ and IgM + . Bivariate and multivariable
analyses were performed.
Results We included 275 patients that were negative for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, and 165 that
were positive. Seropositivity was not associated with higher rates of preeclampsia
(p = 0.183) or with preeclampsia with severe features (p = 0.916) even after adjusting for maternal age >35, BMI ≥ 30, nulliparity, and previous
history of preeclampsia, and type of serologic status. Previous preeclampsia had the
greatest association with the development of preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 13.40;
95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.98–36.09; p < 0.05) and with preeclampsia with severe features (OR = 5.46; 95% CI: 1.65–18.02;
p < 0.05).
Conclusion We found that in an obstetric population, there was no association between SARS-CoV-2
antibody status and the risk of preeclampsia.
Key Points
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Pregnant people with acute COVID-19 are at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.
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Seroconversion during pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.
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Further study regarding the timing of infection and its association with preeclampsia
is necessary.
Keywords
COVID-19 - SARS-CoV-2 - preeclampsia - pregnancy
