Close X
Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVT 
National

COVID linked to risk of stillbirth, preeclampsia

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Mar, 2021 05:52 PM
  • COVID linked to risk of stillbirth, preeclampsia

ew data links COVID-19 to increased risk of pregnancy complications including preterm birth and stillbirth, with the risks rising if infection is severe.

Montreal researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 42 studies involving 438,548 pregnant people around the world.

Authors including Dr. Nathalie Auger of the University of Montreal’s School of Public Health said the data "provides clear evidence that symptomatic or severe COVID-19 is associated with a considerable risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth and low birth weight."

"Clinicians should be aware of these adverse outcomes when managing pregnancies affected by COVID-19 and adopt effective strategies to prevent or reduce risks to patients and fetuses," concludes the study, published Friday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The study says COVID-19 patients were more likely than those without the disease to experience preeclampsia, stillbirth and preterm birth.

Compared to asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients were at double the risk of preterm birth and a 50 per cent increased risk of cesarean delivery.

Meanwhile, those with severe COVID-19 had a four-fold higher risk than those with a mild case to experience high blood pressure and preterm birth.

The reason for increased risk was unclear, but researchers said it could be because the virus that causes COVID-19 stimulates an inflammatory response affecting blood vessels.

"Lack of knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy has raised urgent questions among obstetricians and neonatologists about the risk of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality," the study says.

"There is an urgent need for evidence to guide clinical decisions."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada, Mexico asked for vaccine help: White House

Canada, Mexico asked for vaccine help: White House
Psaki is repeating what she's been saying for weeks: that President Joe Biden's priority is to ensure every American is vaccinated first.

Canada, Mexico asked for vaccine help: White House

Meng Wanzhou's airport arrest negligent: lawyer

Meng Wanzhou's airport arrest negligent: lawyer
Meng's legal team is trying to convince the judge overseeing her extradition case to order a stay of proceedings on the basis that she was subjected to an abuse of process.

Meng Wanzhou's airport arrest negligent: lawyer

B.C. invests to upgrade West Coast Express

B.C. invests to upgrade West Coast Express
Investments in public transit during this extraordinary time help support regional economies and make communities more inclusive and resilient.

B.C. invests to upgrade West Coast Express

Senator pushes change in tax code for charities

Senator pushes change in tax code for charities
The Income Tax Act places strict limitations on charities because they receive tax benefits through charitable donation tax credits.

Senator pushes change in tax code for charities

Moderna to test its COVID vaccine on Canadian kids

Moderna to test its COVID vaccine on Canadian kids
The company announced details of its Phase 2/3 study of COVID-19 earlier this week. It’s expected to involve 6,750 healthy pediatric participants aged six months to 12 years.

Moderna to test its COVID vaccine on Canadian kids

Decline in severe COVID outcomes levelling off: Tam

Decline in severe COVID outcomes levelling off: Tam
Meanwhile, the federal government says nearly 3,330,100 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Canada as of today.

Decline in severe COVID outcomes levelling off: Tam