Conclusion
Coronavirus disease 2019 might increase the risk for pregnancy
complications. In our study, more severe symptoms such as pneumonia and
admission to ICU seem to be more common amongst Asian women, pregnancies
with known comorbidities such as diabetes and pregnant women with
confirmed COVID-19 infection in the 3rd trimester.
There is a relatively higher rate of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and
caesarean in hospitalised mothers infected with COVID-19. There has been
no clinical evidence of vertical transmission in our study or in
published studies so far. The findings from this study can guide and
enhance prenatal counselling of women with COVID-19 infection occurring
during pregnancy and could potentially give guidance to prepare for the
possible rebound of the epidemic, although should be interpreted with
caution in view of the very small number of included cases. Furthermore,
supplying health workers with appropriate PPE is essential to ensure
they are equipped for a potential second wave of the infection,
especially when reviewing COVID-19 patients in viral shedding period who
were not investigated for the infection.