Epidemiology
· What have we learned about clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID-19? Investigators from various institutions from Iran, Canada, and United States conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of 349 studies, of which 121 were studies involving 10,000 pregnant patients (both COVID-19 positive and negative), and 228 were studies involving 128,176 non-pregnant COVID-19 patients. The results revealed that pregnant COVID-19 positive patients are less likely to show classic symptoms (cough, sore throat, headache, or diarrhea), and have a propensity towards different imaging diagnostics, different laboratory results, and higher rate of gestational complications when compared to the two control groups (non-pregnant COVID-19 patients and pregnant COVID-19 negative patients). This study concludes that pregnant patients and their support system warrant additional preventative measures and education in order to mitigate gestational COVID-19 infection in order to reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal complications.
Adjusting Practice During COVID-19
· Mortality is not increased in SARS-CoV-2 infected persons with Hepatitis C virus infection. This retrospective study from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center examines the impact of concurrent hepatitis C (HCV) and COVID-19 infections on hospitalization and ICU admission using the Electronically Retrieved Cohort of HCV Infected Veterans database. The authors found that while patients with both COVID-19 and HCV are more likely to be hospitalized, especially patients with higher FIB-4 scores, the rate of ICU admission and mortality is not significantly affected by HCV status.
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