Author(s)

Madye A. Ngo Dingom^1*, Eugène Sobngwi^2,3, Félix Essiben^1,3, Antoinette N. Assiga², Yves F. Wasnyo², Anicet Ngate³, Jean C. Katte⁴, Junie Y. Ngaha¹, Philemon Nsem¹, Charles E. Sone¹, Brigitte Wandji¹, Gilles T. Libend¹, Jean J. Bissemou¹, Filbert E. Eko^1,5, Florent Y. Fouelifack^1,5, Glwadys Ngono³, Jeanne Fouédjio^1,3, Rebecca Tonye¹, Pierre Ongolo-Zogo^2,3, Pierre J. Fouda^2,3, Robinson E. Mbu^1,3

¹Obstetrics and gynecology Unit, Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
²COVID 19 Unit, Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
³Department of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁴Department of Public Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
⁵Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Higher Institute of Medical Technology of Nkolondom, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 and associated corona virus disease COVID-19 have been declared a pandemic having a poor prognosis among individuals with debilitating conditions and those who are immune-compromised. Current evidence is however limited on maternal and fetal transmission and pregnancy outcomes. We aimed to describe the pattern of SARS-CoV-2 infection and outcomes in a group of pregnant women followed up at a tertiary care unit in Cameroon. Methods: This was an observational study conducted over a period of 3 months (April 1 to June 30, 2020) at the Yaounde Central Hospital. All pregnant women who were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and who provided a signed written informed consent were included in the study. Results: Out of 83 pregnant women who presented with symptoms suspicious of COVID-19, 25 were tested positive. The median age of these women was 31 (27 - 35) years. A total of 76% consulted within 6 days of onset of symptoms and 68% had a gestational age greater than 28 weeks. The most common presenting complaint was fever (88%). All 25 pregnant women who were tested positive for COVID-19 were followed up with 9/25 deliveries registered. There were two intra-uterine fetal deaths and seven live births. All the live birth babies were tested negative on Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing which was performed after birth. Conclusion: Deliverance of live and SARS-CoV-2 negative babies from COVID-19 pregnant women is possible.

COVID-19, Pregnancy, Mortality, Outcomes

Dingom, M. , Sobngwi, E. , Essiben, F. , Assiga, A. , Wasnyo, Y. , Ngate, A. , Katte, J. , Ngaha, J. , Nsem, P. , Sone, C. , Wandji, B. , Libend, G. , Bissemou, J. , Eko, F. , Fouelifack, F. , Ngono, G. , Fouédjio, J. , Tonye, R. , Ongolo-Zogo, P. , Fouda, P. and Mbu, R. (2020) Maternal and Fetal Outcomes of COVID-19 Pregnant Women Followed Up at a Tertiary Care Unit: A Descriptive Study. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10, 1482-1491. doi: 10.4236/ojog.2020.10100135.