Coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy: early lessons

Abstract

The worldwide incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is rapidly increasing, but there exists limited information on coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy. Here, we present our experience with 7 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy presenting to a single large New York City tertiary care hospital. Of the 7 patients, 5 presented with symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019, including cough, myalgias, fevers, chest pain, and headache. Of the 7 patients, 4 were admitted to the hospital, including 2 who required supportive care with intravenous hydration. Of note, the other 2 admitted patients who were asymptomatic on admission to the hospital, presenting instead for obstetrically indicated labor inductions, became symptomatic after delivery, each requiring intensive care unit admission.

Keywords: COVID-19; novel coronavirus; pregnancy.

Figure

Case 1 chest radiograph Chest radiograph of a recently delivered patient who experienced postpartum hemorrhage and instability, requiring intubation. Ventilation was complicated by severe bronchospasm and reactive lung disease, which prompted COVID-19 testing, and the test result was positive. This chest radiograph demonstrates left basilar atelectasis and ill-defined hazy opacities in the right lower lung. The endotracheal tube placement was low and subsequently repositioned by the anesthesiology team. COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019. Breslin et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy. AJOG MFM 2020.