Showing 3 results for Pregnancy
Sevil Alkan, Fatma Yekta Urkmez,
Volume 11, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: This quantitative study aims to conduct a literature evaluation on COVID-19 and pregnancy published since September 2022. Methods: The data was retrieved from the Web of Science database. Authors, co-cited authors, publishing journals, keywords, countries, affiliations, H indexes, citation numbers, and connections between these parameters were used to identify and analyze the data. Microsoft Excel was used to assess the descriptive characteristics of publications, and VOSviewer was used to analyze and visualize selected criteria. Results: We extracted 1574 publications on COVID-19 and pregnancy according to search criteria. The majority (81.96%) were published in Science Citation Index Expanded journals, and 670 (42.56%) were published in 2021. Although 100 countries contributed to this topic, the highest number f articles was published by the United States of America (n=473), followed by the United Kingdom, Italy, China, and India. The University of London and Harvard University were the most productive affiliations, and the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published the most (n=84). The publications received 17,406 citations, an average of 11.06 per document. Conclusion: Since the emergence of COVID-19 and pregnancy, numerous countries, affiliations, and academics have focused on this issue, resulting in a rapid expansion of publications in this field of literature. So far, American, British, and Italian scientists have collaborated the most on COVID-19 and pregnancy research internationally.
Tufail Ahmed, Bashir Ahmad Fomda, Insha Altaf, Gulnaz Bashir,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (6-2023)
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, had a widespread impact on lives worldwide. Its global impact has transcended geographical barriers, affecting people of all ages, races, and genders. Pregnancy induces critical physiological changes in women that can increase their susceptibility to infections. As a result, pregnant women may be at a higher risk of acquiring infections compared to non-pregnant individuals. This retrospective study aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 among pregnant women from April 2020 to January 2022. Methods: Screening was performed on a total of 4929 pregnant women nearing their expected delivery date. Nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal samples were collected and analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 detection using real-time RT-PCR. Result: Pregnant women in the study had a mean age of 30.28 years, and the overall prevalence of COVID-19 was 3.6%. Positivity rates varied between zero and 23.2% during different intervals, with increases in positivity coinciding with the peaks of the country's first, second, and third waves of COVID-19. Pregnant females exhibited a higher positivity rate for COVID-19 compared to the general population. Conclusions: The presence of COVID-19-positive patients in our study group, which comprised entirely of asymptomatic individuals, underscores the importance of active screening among at-risk populations, particularly during periods of increased activity in the general population. These findings can be of vital importance for the management of COVID-19 in pregnant patients, as well as policymaking at all levels.
Beebi Ameena, Deepa Sriram, Anuradha Kundapur,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies among women of reproductive age in Mysuru, India. Estimating the rubella seroprevalence in this populationis crucial for informing public health interventions aimed at preventing congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a severe birth defect caused by rubella infection during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted among women of reproductive age (18–38 years) in Mysuru city from January 15, 2019, to December 31, 2019. A total of 311 participants were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Rubella IgG antibody levels were measured using ELISA with the CALBIOTECH Rubella IgG ELISA kit. Results: The mean age of the 311 women of reproductive age included in the study was 25.8 ± 5.2 years. Age was not significantly associated with rubella IgG antibody status (P=0.123). Overall, 95.5% (n = 297) of participants were seropositive for rubella IgG antibodies, indicating immunity against rubella. The lowest seroprevalence (92.1%, n = 51) was observed in the 21–25 years age group. Although not statistically significant (P=0.872), a slightly higher proportion of urban residents (95.68%, n = 267) were seropositive compared to rural residents. Furthermore, participants with a history of normal pregnancy (98.59%, n = 166) and those who reported being vaccinated (100%) had a significantly higher seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies. Conclusion: This study found a high seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies (95.5%) among women of reproductive age in Mysuru, indicating a potentially low risk of rubella infection and a high level of population immunity. This high seroprevalence is likely attributable to the successful implementation of the national Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign in India, as evidenced by the high seroprevalence observed self-reported vaccinated participants. Further research is warranted to investigate the duration of rubella immunity conferred by vaccination and to assess the need for booster doses in this population.
