Ultrasound and Doppler findings in pregnant SARS-CoV-2 positive women.

AIM: There is limited information on ultrasound data from pregnant women SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2) positive. Our aim was to describe and compare ultrasound and Doppler findings from pregnant women either SARS-CoV-2 positive or negative evaluated during the pandemic period. METHODS: One hundred and six (106) pregnant women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 at the time or within one week of the ultrasound (US) scan were evaluated. There were 49 symptomatic and 57 asymptomatic women. US scans were performed either for routine fetal evaluation, or indicated due to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. For comparison, 103 pregnant women (controls) matched for maternal age, parity, body mass index, and gestational age at the time of the US scan were evaluated. Control women did not refer symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of the US scan, or when admitted for delivery, and had a negative SARS-CoV-2 test at the time of admission for delivery. Fetal biometry, fetal anatomy, amount of amniotic fluid, Doppler parameters including umbilical and middle cerebral arteries pulsatility indices, cerebro-placental ratio, and biophysical profile (BBP) were evaluated when indicated. All biometry and Doppler values were converted to z-scores for comparisons. Our primary outcome, an adverse prenatal composite outcome (APCPO) included: small for gestational age (SGA) fetus, oligohydramnios, abnormal BPP, abnormal Doppler velocimetry, and fetal death. Comorbidities, delivery information, and neonatal outcomes were registered and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of women SARS-CoV-2 positive, 82.1% had a BMI >25.0 and had a higher prevalence of diabetes (26/106 [24.5%] vs. 13/103[12.6%]; p=0.03), but not of preeclampsia (21/106 [19.8%] vs. 11/105 [10.4%]; p=0.08) as compared to controls. The prevalence of APCPO was not significantly different between SARS-CoV-2 positive women (19/106 [17.9%]) and controls (9/103 [8.7%]; p=0.06. No differences in the prevalence of SGA fetuses (12/106 [11.3%] vs. 6/103 [5.8%]; p=0.17), fetuses with abnormal Doppler evaluation (8/106 [7.5%] vs. 2/103 [1.9%]; p=0.08), and with abnormal BPP (4/106 [3.7%] vs. 0/103 [0%] between SARS-CoV-2 positive woman and controls were documented. Two fetal deaths and a higher rate of preterm delivery ≤ 35 weeks of gestation (22/106 vs. 9/103; OR, 2.37 [1.14-4.91] p=0.01) were observed in women SARS-CoV-2 positive as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in abnormal ultrasound and Doppler findings were documented between pregnant women SARS-CoV-2 positive and controls. Nevertheless, preterm delivery ≤ 35 weeks was more frequently observed among women SARS-CoV-2 positive. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.