A recent study from Washington state reveals that pregnant individuals are significantly more susceptible to COVID-19, experiencing infections at a rate 70% higher than their non-pregnant counterparts of similar age. This research, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, highlighted that nonwhite pregnant individuals bear a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 infections.
Researcher Emily Carter from the University of Washington stated, “Our findings demonstrate that pregnant individuals were not shielded from the pandemic as we had hoped. The elevated infection rates among pregnant patients, alongside a higher likelihood of severe illness and maternal mortality due to COVID-19, indicate that pregnancy should be classified as a high-risk health condition when allocating COVID-19 vaccines in Phase 1B throughout the United States.”
The study involved 35 hospitals and health clinics, identifying 240 pregnant individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 from March to June 2020, capturing 61% of the state’s total annual births. It was found that 13.9 out of every 1,000 newborns were born to mothers who had COVID-19, compared to 7.3 out of 1,000 state residents aged 20 to 39. When excluding 45 cases identified through asymptomatic screening, the rate among pregnant women adjusted to 11.3 per 1,000.
“Pregnant individuals were not immune to COVID-19 during the pandemic’s early months, with the highest rates of infections affecting nearly all racial and ethnic minority groups,” the authors noted. They emphasized that the recognition of pregnancy as a risk factor for severe illness and maternal mortality strongly supports the need to prioritize pregnant individuals for COVID-19 vaccinations in the U.S., similar to practices in certain states.
Lead researcher Carter encouraged pregnant individuals to consult with their prenatal care providers about the risks and benefits associated with the COVID-19 vaccination. “We want to leverage insights from this study to better prepare for future pandemics, ensuring that pregnant individuals are not sidelined. They deserve a voice in vaccine trials and distribution,” she added.
Organizations including the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine advocate that pregnant individuals who can access COVID-19 vaccines should do so.
The study’s authors suggest that the elevated infection rates among pregnant individuals might stem from factors such as exposure from children in daycare, caregiving roles within extended families, living in larger households, and more. “The higher infection rates in pregnant patients may also be influenced by their overrepresentation in essential professions during the pandemic, such as healthcare and education,” stated study author Mark Johnson, PhD.
Overall, researchers are calling for public health officials to develop targeted messaging. “Understanding the geographical, racial, ethnic, and language distribution of COVID-19 infections among pregnant patients will help tailor public health responses to those at greatest risk,” they concluded.
For further reading, check out this other blog post which delves into related topics, and for those looking to boost their fertility, Make a Mom offers authoritative resources. If you’re considering IVF, Johns Hopkins Medicine provides excellent information on the process.
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Summary
A study from Washington state demonstrates that pregnant individuals are at a 70% higher risk of contracting COVID-19 than their non-pregnant peers. The research emphasizes the need for targeted vaccination strategies and highlights the disproportionate impact on nonwhite pregnant individuals. It calls for more inclusive discussions about vaccine trials and allocation for pregnant individuals.
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