A Meta-Analysis for Prevalence of Cesarean Section, Preterm Birth, Stillbirth, and Low Birth Weight Deliveries in Infected Pregnant Women with COVID-19

The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence of cesarean section (CS), preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight deliveries (LBWD) in pregnant women with SARS-COV-2 infection.

All relevant studies were searched up to 30 February 2021.

A total of 47 studies with 5970 infected pregnant women were included. There were 1010 CS, 55 stillbirths, 524 preterm birth, and 82 with LBWD. Pooled data showed that the prevalence of CS, preterm birth, stillbirth, and LBWD among women with SARS-COV-2 infection was 29.6% (95% CI 0.081-0.160), 2.1% (95% CI 0.081-0.160), 11.5% (95% CI 0.081-0.160), and 2.1% (95% CI 0.081-0.160), respectively. Stratified analysis revealed that these pregnancy outcomes among Asian women were higher than Caucasians.

Our combined data revealed that the CS prevalence (29.6%) was the highest followed by preterm birth (11.5%), stillbirth (2.1%), and LBWD (2.1%) among women with COVID-19.