Updated experience of a tertiary pandemic center on 533 pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection: A prospective cohort study from Turkey

Objective To investigate the clinical course and impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection on pregnant women. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed COVID‐19 infection. Demographic features, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes were prospectively evaluated. Results Of the 533 cases, 161 (30.2%) had co‐morbidities and 165 (30.9%) were asymptomatic. Cough (n = 178, 33.4%) and myalgia (n = 168, 31.5%) were the leading symptoms. In total, 261 patients (48.9%) received COVID‐19 therapy, 509 (95.5%) had mild disease, 7 (1.3%) were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and invasive mechanical ventilation was necessary in 2 (0.4%) patients. Maternal mortality was observed in 2 (0.4%) cases. Of the patients, 297 (55.7%) were hospitalized, 39 (7.3%) had suspicious radiologic imaging findings, 66 (12.4) had pregnancy complications (preterm delivery [n =22, 4.1%] and miscarriage [n =12, 2.2%] were the most common pregnancy complications), 131 births occurred, and the cesarean section rate was 66.4%. All neonates were negative for COVID‐19. The rate of admission to the neonatal ICU was 9.9%. One specimen of breast milk was positive for the infection. Conclusion The course of COVID‐19 was mild in the majority of cases. However, increased rates of pregnancy complications and cesarean delivery were observed. Synopsis Management of pregnant women with COVID‐19 infection should be conducted by a multidisciplinary team within the framework of an individualized patient approach for favorable outcomes.