Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
The Clinical Research Development Unit, Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4
Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Lung Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
6
Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7
Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
8
Department of Anesthesiology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.22038/mjms.2026.91647.5140
Abstract
Background: Due to immune and physiological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women are considered a vulnerable population to COVID-19. The present study aimed to compare the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant and non-pregnant women.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 210 women with COVID-19 hospitalized at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad from March 2021 to March 2022. Patients were divided into two groups based on pregnancy or non-pregnancy. Demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, severity of lung involvement on CT scan, and hospitalization outcomes were collected from the records and analyzed between the two groups using SPSS version 20.
Finding: Pregnant women showed significantly lower CT involvement scores (P=0.001). Laboratory findings showed that pregnant women had higher WBC compared to non-pregnant women (P<0.001); but lower hemoglobin (P=0.001), CRP, LDH, urea, and creatinine levels (P<0.001) compared to non-pregnant women. Non-pregnant women had significantly higher mortality (6.6% vs 0.9%, P=0.002) and longer hospital stays (P<0.001). Logistic regression identified pregnancy (OR=23.856), chest CT involvement score (OR=1.252), and hospitalization duration (OR=1.158) as positive predictors of ICU admission, while hemoglobin (OR=0.542) and LDH (OR=0.998) were negative predictors.
Conclusion: While pregnant women are at high risk of ICU admission, the mortality rate in pregnant women is lower. To minimize complications and the risk of severe outcomes, patients, especially pregnant women, should receive medical care advice and education on COVID-19 preventive measures.
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