Study of foetomaternal outcomes in COVID-19 afflicted parturients who underwent operative delivery - A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Parturients with coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 are increasingly presenting for operative delivery. The aim of this study was to outline the foetomaternal outcome in COVID-19-afflicted pregnant women who underwent lower segment caeserean section (LSCS). METHODS: Data of all COVID-19 positive pregnant females who underwent caesarean section surgery between 1 April and 30 June 2021 was collected. Clinical parameters, including oxygen requirement, laboratory investigations, treatment measures, complications, length of hospital and intensive care unit/neonatal intensive care unit stay, and outcome of parturients and neonates, were collected and analysed. All patients were followed up either during their visits to the obstetric outpatient department or by making phone calls between 1 and 2 months of discharge. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences statistical software 16.0 was used for analysis. Independent group t-test or Mann–Whitney test was used for mean of continuous data. Chi-square test or Fisher’s test was used for proportion of categorical data. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 71 parturients delivered by caesarean section. 36.51% had mild COVID-19, and 87.5% had moderate COVID-19 at admission. One each with mild and moderate disease expired. The median (interquartile range) length of hospital stay was 7 (5–5.9) days for those with mild disease, and it was significantly longer for those with the moderate disease at 14 (9.5–17.5) days. Our study found that after a mean of 41.72 days of follow-up, of the 69 surviving mothers, 17 complained of fatigue, five complained of myalgia and one needed intermittent supplemental oxygen. Out of 74 babies born, seven died, which is 94.6 per 1000 live births. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 parturients delivered by LSCS stand a higher risk of maternal and neonatal mortality and adverse effects, including more hospital stay and increased mortality.