Impact of Covid-19 on Maternal Outcomes in Saudi Arabia: Case Control Study

Abstract

Pregnant women are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant women. It has been reported that a high proportion of women with confirmed COVID-19 infection had preterm birth and caesarean delivery. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of infection with COVID-19 on maternal outcomes. A quantitative retrospective case-control design was used in Al-Taif city in Saudi Arabia. The study involved 170 participants (85 cases and 85 controls). The maternal outcomes were obtained by reviewing patients’ medical records. The maternal outcome checklist tool was adapted from the study of Elsaddig & Khalil (2021). Ethical considerations were strictly followed during the course of the study. Maternal outcomes which are significantly associated with COVID-19 occurrence during pregnancy involve pain, headache, mode delivery, ICU admission, intubation, and respiratory distress (P<0.05). Several maternal outcomes were revealed as a result of COVID-19. Designing effective interventional programs during pregnancy for the pregnant mother with COVID-19 is extremely necessary to manage signs and complications during pregnancy.