Obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes in COVID-19 compared to healthy pregnant women in Iran: a retrospective, case-control study

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes in COVID-19 compared to healthy pregnant women in Iran. Results: A case-control study was conducted on 55 COVID-19 as the case and 55 matched control pregnant women in Hormozgan, Iran. Patients were considered to be cases if they had a positive COVID-19 test plus a positive chest X-ray result. Our measures were COVID-19 symptoms, including laboratory evaluations, clinical symptoms, and maternal and neonatal outcomes.The most prevalent symptoms related to COVID-19 were fever (69.09%) and cough (58.18%). Less common symptoms included fatigue, diarrhea, shortness of breath, sore throat, and myalgia. Hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine (58.18%) and antibiotic therapy (45.45%) were the most prevalent management in COVID-19 patients. Based on our findings, maternal and obstetric outcomes-neonatal in case groups-such as mode of delivery, premature rupture of membrane, postpartum hemorrhage, perineal resection rate, neonates' birth weight, Apgar score, and neonatal asphyxia rate were similar to pregnant women without COVID-19. We observed a higher incidence rate of premature delivery in COVID-19 cases (25 vs. 10%) (p < 0.05). In the present study, we found that women with COVID-19 had a more than twofold increased odds of preterm labor. History of preterm delivery was also associated with high twofold odds of preterm labor. Conclusion: We observed a higher incidence rate of premature delivery in COVID-19 cases. Women with COVID-19 had a more than twofold increased odds of preterm labor. Considering prematurity has high morbidity and is regarded as the primary cause of mortality in children under 5 years old, more case-control studies are needed to ascertain the results.