281 - Effect of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) Delta Variant (B.1.617.2) on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Poster Number: 281
Publication Number: 281.226

Swati John, University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital, Mobile, AL, United States; Rashmi Gulati, University of south alabama, Mobile, AL, United States; Kalsang Dolma, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, United States

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID 19) infection during pregnancy has been reported to increase the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. In the general population, data suggest that Delta variant may be associated with more severe disease. However, limited data is available on the effect of delta variant infection during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal and neonatal outcomes of maternal SARS-COV-2 delta variant infection at any time during pregnancy.

Design/Methods: In this retrospective, single center study, we included all infants who were born from May 2020 through October 2021 to mothers with COVID 19 infection during pregnancy. At our institution, we started inpatient testing of all obstetric patients on admission since May 29, 2020.  In our region, the Delta variant of COVID 19 accounted for more than 80% of all COVID 19 infections from July 2021 (Alabama Department of Public Health). Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared between the pre-Delta (May 2020 – May 2021, n = 21) and Delta groups (July 2021-October 2021, n = 53).

Results: From Pre-Delta to Delta group, the rate of maternal chorioamnionitis, gestational hypertension, diabetes, antepartum bleeding, c-section, maternal ICU admission, maternal COVID 19 symptoms and maternal survival were not different (table 1). All neonates born to these mothers were tested negative for COVID 19.  In neonatal outcomes, the rate of premature birth, Apgar score of less than 5 at 5 mins, small for gestational age, microcephaly, need for noninvasive or invasive ventilator support, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), culture positive sepsis, and neonatal survival were not different between the two groups. There was no difference in placental findings between the two groups.  In the Delta group, infants born to symptomatic mothers have higher rates of preterm delivery, need for neonatal resuscitation, neonatal respiratory distress, HIE and neonatal mortality (table 2).Conclusion(s): Delta variant of COVID 19 did not affect the maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, it did influence neonatal outcomes among symptomatic mothers. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effect on long term neonatal outcomes.
PAS CV ODF.pdf
Table 2: Neonatal outcomes of maternal COVID-19 Delta variant infection during pregnancy