SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and incidence of thromboembolic disease: an analysis of the Covid-19-Related Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome Study (CRONOS) in Germany

PURPOSE

The aim of the present study was to quantify the rate of thromboembolic events (TE) in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection and to characterize risk factors to provide a basis for individualized recommendation on prophylactic measures.

METHODS

CRONOS is a multicenter, prospective observational study conducted in Germany and Austria during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Data on demographics, medical history, COVID-19-related aspects, and pregnancy and birth outcomes were collected. TE was particularly queried and used as the primary outcome. A combination of "TE," "maternal or fetal death," or "severe postpartum hemorrhage" was defined as a secondary endpoint. Risk analyses were performed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Data from 8033 pregnant patients showed 40 TEs (0.5% incidence). TE rates were 10% in ICU patients, 0.2-0.4% in those with moderate-to-mild COVID-19, and < 0.1% in asymptomatic women. Pulmonary embolism occurred in 21 cases, deep vein thrombosis in 12, and 7 had atypical or arterial TE. Risk factors included advanced gestational age, COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization or ICU admission, premature birth, cesarean section, delivery within 4 weeks of infection, higher weight gain, anemia, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. COVID-19 vaccination reduced risk. The logistic risk model yielded an AUC of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94).

CONCLUSION

The TE rate in pregnant women is largely determined by the severity of the disease. In asymptomatic or mild cases, other factors outweigh TE risk, while severe COVID-19 requiring ICU admission poses a high TE risk despite prophylaxis.

Prevalence and Obstetric Management Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Peripartum SARS-CoV-2-Positive Women - an Analysis of the CRONOS Registry Data

The analysis of CRONOS data for this article presents the infection prevalence among parturients and subsequent changes in obstetric management over time in Germany. 2,184 women with peripartum SARS-CoV-2 infection (<14d before birth) were included. Monthly period prevalence was calculated using the number of affected women on the CRONOS registry relative to total monthly births in each hospital from March 2020 to May 2022 and compared to RKI data. Trends related to changes in obstetric management were calculated based on severity of illness. By June 2021, the obstetric population shows a discretely higher infection prevalence compared to the general population, falling below the RKI reported prevalence by October 2021. The overall rate of iatrogenic deliveries remains unchanged over time (p-value for trend=0.779). During wave 1 to 4, deliveries due to SARS-CoV-2 infection rose among moderately to severely ill women (p-value for trend 0.0000) and was increased compared to moderately ill women (p=0.001). We showed that comprehensive screening provides timely information on infection prevalence. Recruitment fatigue caused by higher clinician workload due to increased admissions and more cases with severe illness probably caused reduced prevalence reporting. Changes in obstetric management were related to COVID-19 symptom severity. A comprehensive national perinatal registry is needed to examine other areas of perinatal care in Germany.

Peripartal management of dichorial twin pregnancy in a bicornuate bicollis uterus: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

The management of a pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus is particularly challenging. A bicornuate uterus is a rare occurrence and a twin pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus even more rare. These pregnancies call for intensive diagnostic investigation and interdisciplinary care.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report on a 27-year-old European woman patient (gravida I, para 0) with a simultaneous pregnancy in each cavity of a bicornuate bicollis uterus after embryo transfer. The condition was confirmed by hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Several unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts had been performed earlier before embryo transfer in each cornus. After a physiological course of pregnancy with differential screening at 12 + 6 weeks and 22 + 0 weeks of gestation, the patient presented with therapy-resistant contractions at 27 + 2 weeks. This culminated in the uncomplicated spontaneous delivery of the leading fetus and delayed spontaneous delivery of the second fetus.

DISCUSSION

Only 16 cases of twin pregnancy in a bicornuate unicollis uterus have been reported worldwide and only 6 in a bicornuate bicollis uterus. The principal risks in such pregnancies are preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, malpresentation and preeclampsia. These typical risk factors of a twin pregnancy are greatly potentiated in the above mentioned setting.

CONCLUSION

A twin pregnancy in the presence of a uterine malformation is rare and difficult to manage. These rare cases must be collected and reported in order to work out algorithms of monitoring and therapy as well as issue appropriate recommendations for their management.