July 8, 2020

Pregnancy and Postpartum Outcomes in a Universally Tested Population for SARS-CoV-2 in New York City: A Prospective Cohort Study

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• All pregnant patients who were admitted for delivery at three New York City hospitals were screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR testing of nasopharyngeal specimens (first 28 days of universal screening that started on March 22, 2020). Of 675 people admitted for delivery, 10% were positive for SARS-CoV-2, among whom most (79%) were asymptomatic.  
• Cesarean delivery and post-partum complications were more common among SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (45% vs 31% and 13% vs 5%, respectively). Placental pathology revealed a higher frequency of fetal vascular malperfusion in patients with vs. without SARS-CoV-2 (48% vs. 11%). None of the delivered infants were positive for SARS-CoV-2. 

Prabhu et al. (July 7, 2020). Pregnancy and Postpartum Outcomes in a Universally Tested Population for SARS-CoV-2 in New York City: A Prospective Cohort Study. BJOG International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16403