EHS-COVID (517) Excess of cesarean births in pregnant women with COVID-19: A meta-analysis

25 January, 2022

(with thanks to Maternal Health Task Force)

'The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess how maternal and neonatal outcomes differed in Covid-19 patients who delivered vaginally compared to those who delivered via cesarean. Using data from 42 studies and 602 women, researchers found that there were no significant differences in perinatal complications (premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa/accreta, and gestational hypertension/pre-eclampsia) or maternal and neonatal outcomes between women who delivered vaginally versus those who delivered via cesarean. In conclusion, women should undergo cesarean birth based on obstetric indication or maternal clinical condition, not Covid-19 status.'

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34997608/

Neil Pakenham-Walsh, HIFA Coordinator, neil@hifa.org www.hifa.org