The risk remains small, but pregnant women are more likely to die of the coronavirus

Pregnant women tend to be younger and healthier, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the overall risk to pregnant women remains small. Of the 19,600 pregnant women surveyed, 33 died. The mortality rate is 0.2%. The report states that the mortality rate for non-pregnant women was 0.1%.

The CDC study also reinforces findings on various pathways of pandemics in the United States, putting black, Hispanic, and Asian women at risk from the virus.

According to experts, the increased risk to pregnant women should serve as a warning to those who expect their baby to be particularly vigilant against infection.

“Some people think it’s okay if they’re young and healthy, but pandemic malaise begins. But in my practice, I’ve seen women who are pregnant with a ventilator. It’s a mother, giving birth. , And it affects babies, “said David Jaspan, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, who was not involved in the study.

“We don’t have the ability to predict how this will affect you, so the best advice we can give is prevention,” says Jaspan. “Wear a mask. Social distance. Keep away from potentially infected people.”

Some pregnant women may not be diagnosed until the illness is delayed because the virus shares common symptoms with pregnancy (malaise, nausea, vomiting).

“We don’t want patients to assume that they’re feeling pregnant. Keep your promise,” Jaspan said. “Give us the opportunity to evaluate and confirm that you are okay.”

This report uses data collected by the CDC from hospitals nationwide. It was found that 1.1% of pregnant women were admitted to the ICU after being diagnosed with covid-19, a disease caused by the virus, compared to 0.4% of non-pregnant women. The percentage of women who needed ventilation was 0.3% for pregnant women and 0.1% for other women.

Researchers believe that increased risk may be due to physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, such as increased heart rate and oxygen consumption, decreased vital capacity, and changes in the body’s immune system.

Black women accounted for only 14% of the women included in the study, but 37% of the recorded deaths. Pregnant Asian women also saw an imbalanced risk of severe illness. Hispanic women were at higher risk of infection and death than white women.

CDC also released Monday data It shows that pregnant women infected with the virus are more likely to give birth prematurely. Preterm births accounted for 12.9% of the 3,912 births, compared to 10.2% of the US population in 2019.

In summary, Emory University President Dennis Jamison of Gynecology and Obstetrics said the findings could affect whether pregnant women would be vaccinated when they became widely available. Vaccine decisions should take into account fetal and maternal safety concerns.

“But given that this shows the increased risk experienced by pregnant women, it suggests that they may not want to deny them the opportunity to get vaccinated,” Jamieson said.

Many pregnant women have already taken strong steps to prevent the infection, according to Jamieson. However, she and other doctors say she saw an unusual number of tests positive, but she has no symptoms.

“Some patients have quit their jobs to better isolate themselves, but their partners still need to work outside the house to earn wages. Show how difficult it is to protect themselves from this virus. I’m just doing it, “she said. “But as this data shows, it’s more important than ever to protect them from becoming covids.”