Dr. Eliz Thomas, Dr. Nidhya Ganesan, Dr. Lawanya Gunaseelan, Dr. Subbarao Tadury,
Volume 19, Issue 2 (3-2025)
Abstract
Objective: To analyse the haematological parameters in pregnant women who are COVID-positive in a tertiary care hospital and to observe if there is an association between the findings and disease severity.
Methods: This was a retrospective study which included 64 COVID-positive pregnant patients who were admitted in our hospital, under obstetrics department, in the study period. The haematological parameters of these women during the third trimester were assessed and the outcome of the pregnancy was recorded.
Results: Among 64 COVID-positive pregnant women, 14 complained of the usual symptoms like fever, cough or headache. 1 complained of increased breathlessness. After haematological work-up, 46 (72%) patients were recorded to have anemia and 38 (59%) showed leukocytosis. Neutrophilia was seen in 34 patients. The platelet count was within normal limits for all. 49 of them underwent caesarean section for various reasons; most common reason being previous caesarean section. 62 deliveries were done at term. Only one of the babies delivered had anemia at birth. The 1 and 5 minutes APGAR scores recorded for all the babies were 7 to 9. 15 babies delivered underwent RT-PCR testing and were found to be negative.
Conclusion: The laboratory parameters most commonly seen amongst the COVID-19 pregnant women were anemia, leukocytosis and neutrophilia, which is comparable to the physiologic changes in pregnancy. There was no adverse outcome observed in any of the pregnancies and all the fetuses were normal. There was no incidence of vertical transmission of the virus amongst the tested neonates.
