Elsevier

Life Sciences

Volume 271, 15 April 2021, 119200
Life Sciences

Screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection during labor and delivery using polymerase chain reaction and immunoglobulin testing

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119200Get rights and content

Highlights

  • The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was studied with PCR and immunoglobulin testing in 1211 gravids during labor and delivery.

  • 5.4% of pregnant women had laboratory evidence of current or past SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

  • None of the mothers and newborns needed intensive care unit admissions.

  • All newborns from mothers with positive PCR were PCR negative.

Abstract

Aims

To assess severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during labor and delivery with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and using immunoglobulin G and M testing to correlate with maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Main methods

Pregnant women admitted for labor and delivery at two Spanish hospitals were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection by PCR test and by detection of serum immunoglobulins G and M. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared in women with laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection with those with negative tests.

Key findings

Between March 31st and September 30th, 2020, 1211 pregnant women were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The prevalence of laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections was 5.4% (n = 65), corresponding to (i) 22 ongoing infections at admission, including two with mild clinical symptoms and 20 asymptomatic women; (ii) 43 cases of previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure; (iii) and 1146 women who were negative for both SARS-CoV-2 PCR and serological test. None of the screened mothers required hospital admission for coronavirus disease before or after delivery, nor were any of the newborns admitted to the intensive care unit. All newborns from mothers with positive PCR on admission were PCR negative. There were no significant differences in maternal or perinatal outcomes among the three studied groups.

Significance

Ongoing or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection with asymptomatic or mild clinical symptoms detected during screening in pregnant women at labor and delivery do not have a higher rate of adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes.

Keywords

Coronavirus 2019
COVID-19
Labor and delivery
Polymerase chain reaction
SARS-CoV-2
Serum immunoglobulins

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