July 12, 2024 – Nearly one in ten pregnant people infected with COVID-19 will eventually develop Long COVID, in keeping with a study published within the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Researchers on the University of Utah Health examined the medical records of greater than 1,500 individuals who became infected with COVID-19 while pregnant and reviewed their self-reported symptoms no less than six months after infection, in keeping with a university press release.
The scientists found that 9.3% of those people reported long-term symptoms of COVID, akin to fatigue and intestinal problems.
To be sure that these long-COVID symptoms weren’t actually pregnancy symptoms, the research team conducted a second evaluation of people that reported symptoms greater than 12 weeks after giving birth. The risk of long-COVID was in regards to the same as in the primary evaluation.
“I was surprised that the prevalence was so high,” Dr. Torri Metz, the varsity's associate director of research for obstetrics and gynecology and co-leader of the study, said within the news release. “This is something that continues to affect otherwise relatively healthy and young populations.”
The school said that is the primary study to take a look at the risks of long COVID in pregnant women. Previous research has found other dangers for pregnant women who contract COVID, akin to a better risk of hospitalization or death, or complications akin to premature birth.
Studies show that in the final population, 10 to twenty% of people that grow to be infected with COVID develop Long COVID.
Metz said medical examiners must remain vigilant about long-COVID cases, including amongst pregnant women.
“We need to be aware of this when we treat patients. This is something we really don't want to miss. And we want people to be referred to appropriate specialists who treat Long COVID,” she said.