Covid is a threat during pregnancy: research

ACCORDING to new research published in BMJ Global Health, pregnant women infected with the virus that causes Covid-19 have a seven-time increased chance of dying.

The study also reveals that Covid-19 during pregnancy increases the risk that the new born baby may need to be admitted to intensive care.

“This study provides the most comprehensive evidence to date suggesting that Covid-19 is a threat during pregnancy,” said Emily R Smith, an assistant professor of global health at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health and lead author of the study.

“Our findings underscore the importance of Covid-19 vaccination for all women of childbearing age.”

Despite growing knowledge about the risks of Covid-19 during pregnancy, many women of childbearing age in the US and other countries remain unvaccinated.

In some cases, women hesitate or refuse to get the vaccine or booster shot because they don’t think Covid-19 poses risks to young women or they feel unsure about the safety of the vaccine during pregnancy.

Even some doctors might hesitate to give the vaccine to a pregnant woman, Smith said.

Smith and her colleagues pooled data from 12 studies conducted in 12 countries, including the US, involving more than 13 000 pregnant women.

The researchers found that compared to uninfected pregnant women, those with Covid-19 infection were at:

Seven times higher risk of dying during pregnancy or childbirth. More than three times greater risk of being admitted to the intensive care (ICU) unit. People with Covid-19 who need ICU care are also more likely to die. About 15 times higher risk of needing ventilator treatment. Covid-19 can affect the ability to breathe and in severe cases patients need mechanical ventilation to survive.

About 23 times higher risk of developing pneumonia, a potentially life threatening complication of Covid-19. More than five times higher risk of thromboembolic disease or blood clots, that can cause pain, swelling or other life-threatening complications.

Babies born to women who were infected with Covid-19 were almost twice as likely to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit after birth.

They were also at higher risk of being born prematurely.

Preterm babies were at high risk of having lifelong health problems including delays in early childhood cognitive development, Smith said.

Despite the health risks, more than 80 countries still do not recommend that all pregnant and lactating women get the Covid-19 vaccine, Smith said.

“This study shows the risk of getting Covid-19 for both mother and baby. All countries should make access to Covid vaccines an urgent priority to save lives and prevent health problems,” she said. |