COVID-19 and Critical Care Obstetrics in Four Latin American Countries

Abstract

The first case series of pregnant patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in Wuhan reported that clinical presentation as well as the severity of the disease do not differ from non-pregnant women. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of obstetric patients with COVID-19 admitted to Intensive Care Units in Latin America. Multicenter observational cross-sectional study conducted during the months of May to November 2020. A total of 40 obstetric patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 4 countries (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay) were included. Reported maternal mortality was 6 cases (15%) and perinatal mortality was 1 case (2.5%). The average maternal age was 27.2 years (SD 6.2). Associated pathologies include severe preeclampsia in 10 cases (25%), HELLP in 2 cases (5%) and gestational hypertension in 5 cases (12.5%), 10 patients received invasive mechanical ventilation since admission to ICU (25%). This paper exposes pregnant women as a population at risk to develop severe forms of COVID-19.