TITLE:
Risk Factors Contributing in Increased Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 Infection during Pregnancy
AUTHORS:
Imad R. Musa
KEYWORDS:
Pregnancy, Corona Virus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.10 No.9,
September
17,
2020
ABSTRACT: The
corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread globally and pregnant
women are considerably prone to COVID-19 infection with increased maternal and
perinatal complications. Aim: This
study aims to explore the risk factors that contribute to susceptibility and
severity of COVID-19 infection among pregnant women. Method: A literature search of articles relating to COVID-19
infection during pregnancy, was conducted, using PubMed, Scopus and Google
scholar engine. Result: A
total of 168 articles were initially identified. Eighty four papers were
excluded for failing to address the aim of the study. After screening titles
and abstracts, eighty four full-text articles were retrieved for eligibility
analysis. Nineteen studies addressed the susceptibility related to pregnancy,
twenty-two studies evaluated the associated comorbidities, nineteen focused on
immune system, thirty-six articles concentrated on the risk of coagulopathy and
eleven addressed more than one risk factor. Conclusion: Pregnancy,
associated comorbidities, modulated immune response during pregnancy and risk
of coagulopathy are considerable risk factors contributing to COVID-19
pathogenesis among pregnant women and may predict the outcome.