Pregnant women with coronavirus infection are at a higher risk for severe diseases. In the present study, we evaluated and compared clinical characteristics and outcomes in pregnancy of normal females and females with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study was a cross-sectional study. The pregnant females were examined, their blood samples were taken for Covid Panel (D-Dimer, Ferritin, IL-6, CRP, PCT (Procalcitonin)); and oral-nasal swabs were taken for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Both SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative (control) females were followed up every trimester for any complication related to pregnancy. We found that females suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection had reduced gestation periods, and had higher percentage of caesarean and pre-term delivery than SARS-CoV-2 negative females. Based on our findings, it appears that there exist close associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant females and increased risk of reduced gestation periods, and spontaneous caesarean and pre-term delivery. However, more studies are still needed to validate present findings.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This research was sponsored by Multi-Disciplinary Research Units (MRUs) and DST, a grant by ICMR-Department of Health Research [Grant No: 6004].

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

The study was approved by ethical committee of the Institution, Banaras Hindu University (No.Dean/2021/EC/2762).

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