Safety of vaginal delivery in women infected with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

There is limited data regarding the safety of vaginal delivery in women infected with COVID-19. Our goal was to assess the safety of vaginal delivery in women infected with COVID-19 and the risk of neonatal infection.

METHODS

This was a single medical center cohort study. Data were collected about the outcome of twenty-one women with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection who delivered between March 23, 2020, and May 8, 2020.

RESULTS

Twenty-one gravidas were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. None required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and there were no fatalities. Seventeen delivered vaginally and four by caesareans. Apgar scores of all neonates were 9 at 1 min and 10 at 5 min. One neonate was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection 24 h after birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal delivery in women infected with COVID-19 is not associated with a significant risk of neonatal infection.

HIV in pregnancy: Identification of intrapartum and perinatal HIV exposures

The benefits of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in pregnancy, when combined with appropriate maternal antiretroviral therapy and intrapartum and postnatal prophylaxis, are well established. The vertical rate of transmission of HIV in North America is now well below 2%. Efforts must continue to ensure that these benefits are sustained. Women who have received little or no prenatal care and those who present for delivery with unknown HIV status need immediate testing. As more infants are exposed to antiretroviral agents, strategies need to be implemented to ensure adequate follow-up of these infants. Issues relating to the identification of HIV-exposed infants are highlighted.