Impact of COVID-19 on Pregnancy and Childbirth: A Systematic Literature Review of Recent Evidence

Aim: To evaluate the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis and management strategies in pregnant women suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 infection. Methods: A literature review of published articles was carried out using keywords of corona virus (and its root derivatives), pregnancy, vertical transmission and childbirth in Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Clinicaltrials.gov and Web of Sciences. Clinical articles including case-control, case reports, case series and reviews published between 2019 and 2020, in English language were included. Editorials and Letter to Editors were not included. Two independent authors reviewed title and abstract of the articles and another set of two independent authors screened full text. A total of 22 articles were shortlisted for addition into the final manuscript Results: A total of 403 pregnancies were considered in the study with most of the patients in the third trimester of pregnancy. There was no maternal mortality reported in the literature, however 1.49% fetal mortality has been reported. Conclusion: The ideal management revolves around, rapid detection, prompt diagnosis and effective isolation.