Maternal death related to COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis focused on maternal co-morbidities and clinical characteristics

Background Besides reducing the quality of obstetric care, the direct impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and postpartum is uncertain. Objective To evaluate the characteristics of pregnant women who died due to COVID-19. Search strategy Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2021. Selection criteria Studies that compared deceased and survived pregnant women with COVID-19. Data collection and analysis Relevant data were extracted and tabulated. The primary outcome was maternal co-morbidity. Main results Thirteen studies with 154 deceased patients were included. Obesity doubled the risk of death (relative risk [RR] 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41-4.36, I-2 = 0%). No differences were found for gestational diabetes (RR 5.71; 95% CI 0.77-42.44, I-2 = 94%) or asthma (RR 2.05, 95% CI 0.81-5.15, I-2 = 0%). Overall, at least one severe co-morbidity showed a twofold increased risk of death (RR 2.26, 95% CI 1.77-2.89, I-2 = 76%). Admission to intensive care was related to a fivefold increased risk of death (RR 5.09, 95% CI 2.00-12.98, I-2 = 56%), with no difference in need for respiratory support (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.23-1.48, I-2 = 95%) or mechanical ventilation (RR 4.34, 95% CI 0.96-19.60, I-2 = 58%). Conclusion COVID-19 with at least one co-morbidity increases risk of intensive care and mortality.

Automated summary

Obesity and severe co-morbidities are associated with increased risk of death in pregnant women with COVID-19. Admission to intensive care also increases the risk of mortality.