SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy during the first wave of COVID-19 in the Netherlands: a prospective nationwide population-based cohort study (NethOSS)

Abstract

Objective: To describe characteristics, risk factors and maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Design: Multi-centre prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: Nationwide study in the Netherlands.

Population: Pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to hospital or in home-isolation: 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020.

Methods: Pregnant women with positive polymerase chain reaction or antibody tests were registered using the Netherlands Obstetrics Surveillance System (NethOSS). (Selective) testing occurred according to national guidelines. Data from the national birth registry (pregnant pre-coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] cohort) and an age-matched cohort of COVID-19-positive women (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; fertile age COVID-19 cohort) were used as reference.

Main outcome measures: Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women. Maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes including hospital and intensive care admission.

Results: Of 376 registered pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 20% (74/376) were admitted to hospital, of whom 84% (62/74) were due to SARS-CoV-2; 10% (6/62) were admitted to intensive care and 15% (9/62) to obstetric high-care units. Risk factors for admission were non-European country of origin (odds ratio [OR] 1.73, 95% CI 1.01-2.96) and being overweight/obese (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.51-3.20). No maternal or perinatal deaths occurred. Caesarean section after labour-onset was increased (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.09-2.28). Hospital and intensive care admission were higher compared with the fertile age COVID-19 cohort (OR 6.75, 95% CI 5.18-8.81 and OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.11-5.77, respectively).

Conclusions: Non-European country of origin and being overweight/obese are risk factors for severe course of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, risk of caesarean section and hospital and intensive care unit admission are increased.

Tweetable abstract: Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands show increased hospital/ICU admission and caesarean section.

Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019; obstetric surveillance system; pregnancy; pregnancy complications; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.