Does COVID-19 Infection Pose a Risk to Women of Childbearing Age?

Authors : Kazım Kiratli, Mustafa Şengül

Pages : 104-116

Doi:10.33716/bmedj.1406040

View : 41 | Download : 60

Publication Date : 2024-01-19

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives: This study aims to investigate the potential differential impact of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women compared to non-pregnant individuals of childbearing age by evaluating laboratory findings from both inpatient and outpatient cases. Material and Methods: From the onset of COVID-19 in Turkey in March 2020 until the commencement of vaccination, a total of 94 COVID-19 patients were included in three separate groups: pregnant women and non-pregnant individuals with COVID-19 (with and without pneumonia). Sociodemographic data and examination findings were retrospectively retrieved from the hospital information system. Results: The study revealed that pregnant women, with a mean age of 28.87±1.38, experienced a significantly shorter mean length of hospital stay of 5.03±0.49 days compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Notably, pregnant women exhibited significant variations in urea, creatinine, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values in comparison to the other groups (p<0.001). Moreover, there were significant differences among the three groups concerning neutrophil and lymphocyte percentage values (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study suggests that COVID-19 infection in pregnant women is associated with more favorable clinical outcomes, shorter length of hospital stay, and relatively moderate alterations in laboratory findings when accounting for pregnancy-induced changes. It is implied that pregnancy might not pose as substantial a risk factor for severe COVID-19 infection as advanced age or underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, and malignancy.
Keywords : Covıd 19, Enfeksiyon, Gebelik, Pnömoni