The Effect of SARS-CoV-2 İnfection on Perinatal Outcomes in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the fetal and maternal effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Methods Patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positivity (n = 55) were compared with cases with similar characteristics and PCR negativity (n = 53). The study group was further divided into two groups as severe (n = 11) and nonsevere (n = 44) coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The groups were compared in terms of clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes.

Results The study and control groups were similar in terms of maternal age, parity, gestational age at diagnosis, type of hypertensive disorders, magnesium sulfate administration rate, gestational age at birth, birth weight, Apgar scores, and maternal complications. However, all cases of fetal loss (n = 6) were observed in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group (p = 0.027). From the 6 cases, there were 5 in the nonsevere group and 1 patient in the severe SARS-CoV-2 positive group. Moreover, higher rates of maternal complications, lower oxygen saturation values, and intensive care unit admissions were observed in the severe COVID-19 group.

Conclusion Physicians should be cautious about the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy cases with SARS-CoV-2 positivity. Fetal loss seems to be more common in cases with SARS-CoV-2 positivity and severe COVID-19 seems to be associated with higher rates of maternal complications. Close follow-up for fetal wellbeing and active management of severe cases in terms of maternal complications seem to be favorable.

Keywords

COVID-19 - hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - perinatal outcomes - SARS-CoV-2 - preeclampsia

Contributions

All authors have read and approved the final article. All authors contributed to the following sections of the article and fulfilled the conditions for being an article writer. Tanaçan: Data analysis, Manuscript writing, Study concept, design. Sakcak: Data collection, Study concept, design. Şahin: Manuscript editing, Study concept, design. Farisoğulları: Manuscript writing, Data collection, Project development, Study concept, design. Kara: Data analysis, Project development, Study concept, design. Denizli: Manuscript writing, Study concept, design.

Publication History

Received: 02 November 2022

Accepted: 01 February 2023

Article published online:
08 September 2023

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