Research Letter
Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in coronavirus disease 2019–infected pregnancy: obstetric and intensive care considerations

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.100120Get rights and content

Since the emergence of a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) in Wuhan, China, at the end of December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 has been associated with severe morbidity and mortality and has left world governments, healthcare systems, and providers caring for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, wrestling with the optimal management strategy. Unique physiologic and ethical considerations negate a one-size-fits-all approach when caring for critically ill pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019, and few resources exist to guide the multidisciplinary team through decisions regarding optimal maternal-fetal surveillance, intensive care procedures, and delivery timing. We present a case of rapid clinical decompensation and development of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in a woman at 31 weeks’ gestation to highlight these unique considerations and present an algorithmic approach to the diagnosis and management of the disease.

Key words

acute SARS-CoV-2
ARDS
coronavirus
COVID-19
pneumonia
pregnancy
respiratory distress syndrome

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This paper is part of a supplement that represents a collection of COVID-related articles selected for publication by the editors of AJOG MFM without additional financial support.

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Cite this article as: Schnettler WT, Al Ahwel Y, Suhag A. Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19-infected pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2020;2:100120.

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