Increased COVID-19 Severity among Pregnant Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant, France

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study of pregnant persons hospitalized for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in France. Delta variant infection had a relative risk of 14.33 for intensive care unit admission and 9.56 for high supplemental oxygen support. The Delta variant might cause more severe illness during pregnancy.

Keywords: COVID-19; France; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; pregnancy; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Monthly cases of hospitalized, severe, and critical COVID-19 cases among women of childbearing age (15–42 years) and pregnant women at Nord Franche-Comté Hospital, France, March 1, 2020–November 15, 2021. We assessed COVID-19 disease severity against circulating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants during 3 periods of interest based on predominance of circulating variants. During period 1, wild-type virus comprised >50% of all sequenced SARS-CoV-2 variants in France; during period 2, >50% were Alpha variant; and during period 3, >50% were Delta variant. COVID-19, coronavirus disease; ICU, intensive care unit.