Impact of Pregnancy on the Prognosis of COVID-19 in Women Hospitalized at the National Reference Center for Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 in a Resources Limited Country.

Abstract

Reduce morbidity and mortality associated with covid-19 in pregnant women Since the detection of the first case of COVID-19 on March 6, 2020 in Togo, pregnant women have received special attention due to their usual vulnerability to infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on the prognosis of COVID-19 in patients hospitalized in Lomé. This was an analytical cross-sectional study of women of childbearing age (15-49 years) admitted between March 22, 2020, and December 31, 2021, to the Lomé Commune Regional Hospital, a national referral center for COVID-19 patients. We registered 438 women of childbearing age, including 31 pregnant women (7.1%). Pregnant women were younger (28.8 years vs. 34.2 years, p = 0.001). Asthenia was more common in pregnant women (38.7% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.025), and SpO2 was lower (88.6% vs. 94%, p= 0.016%). Pregnancy was not associated with the occurrence of severe forms, nor with prolonged hospitalization. Independent risk factors for mortality were 3rd trimester of pregnancy, mean age > 34 years, diabetes, HIV, and obesity. Most symptoms were similar to those observed in the general population. However, in addition to comorbidities, complications in the third trimester of pregnancy have worsened the prognosis for COVID-19. These results corroborate the observations made in the subregion. However, it is important to assess the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcome.