Clinical characteristics, CT features and perinatal outcome of COVID-19 pneumonia in pregnant women and comparison with non-pregnant women

To evaluate the clinical course and CT findings of pregnant women

Fourthy (25 pregnant and 15 non-pregnant) patients were entered to the study. Chest CT features and clinical findings were evaluated between two groups. Data related to pregnancy and fetal status  evaluated in the pregnant group.

The average age of pregnant patients was 33.1±5.75 years and the non-pregnant group was 35.4±6.88 years. The gestational age ranged from 7 weeks to 39weeks+2days (mean =31weeks+5days). No significant difference was seen between the two groups about clinical findings except the duration of symptoms before CT which was more in pregnant patients (6.71 ± 5.5 days vs 3.53 ± 1.92 days). Two mortalities in pregnant and one in non-pregnant patients ,  2(8%) cases of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), 3 (12%) cases of intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD), 3 (12%) cases of fetal distress and 2 (8%) cases of  IUGR in pregnant group. Fifteen pregnant patients gave birth .No positive PCR result was detected in newborns. Unlike the control group, the common CT findings were ground-glass pattern.

In summary, although we found the clinical findings in pregnant and control group were similar but pattern of CT involvement was different in pregnant patients and rate of ICU admission and mortality rate were more than control group. This viral pneumonia was associated with some important complications such as IUFD in severely involved mothers. CT could be an efficient tool for the early detection and severity assessment in the pregnant patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.