COVID-19 AND PREGNANCY

Outbreak of COVID-19, in China resulted in rapid spread of infection all over the world. COVID-19, is a novel corona virus, infects respiratory epithelial cells of host through angiotensin--converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Infection spread through human to human transmission. Pregnant patients are considered vulnerable group for this infection, because of there altered physiological and immunological status. From the available literature about COVID-19, total 38 cases of pregnant women with COVID 19 infection has been reported in details. All cases had mild infection, no mortality reported and no intrauterine transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to the fetus observed. Guidelines for the care of pregnant patients and safety of health care workers from COVID 19 are still in a developing phase. Home stay, frequent hand washing, avoiding visitors and social distancing are key features of these guidelines. Health care workers should use personal protective equipments (PPE) including N95 mask, face protection by face shield or by goggles and other measures. Pregnant patients should avoid frequent antenatal visits, suspected or confirmed cases of COVID 19 should be admitted in an isolation ward, treatment of these patients should be given according to their health status, including ventilator support for patients of severe repiratory distress. There should be separate delivery room and operation theatre for infected pregnant patient and both should have neonatal resuscitation corners, located atleast 2 metres away from delivery table. Multidiscilpinary team should be involved during labour and ceaserean section of infected pregnant patients. Currently there is no evidence that COVID-19 is secreted in breast milk, thus breast feeding can be done to fetus with proper precautions. Since the reported cases of pregnancy in COVID-19 are very less, and research is still in progression regarding this novel corona virus, no definitive inferences can be drawn.