COVID-19 INFECTION-ASSOCIATED CHANGES IN LIVER FUNCTION TEST AND MATERNAL AND NEONATAL OUTCOMES IN INDIAN PREGNANT PATIENTS: PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Dr. Rohini S. Gaonkar*, Preeti Singh and Dr. P. Soumya Singh

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective of the study was to observe the trend of changes in liver function and maternal and neonatal outcomes in COVID-19-positive pregnant women. Methods: The design of the study was a prospective observation study. The study was conducted at Maulana Azad Medical College and Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. A total of 142 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection were recruited and studied prospectively between May 2020 and April 2021. The study population was divided into 2 groups symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19-positive pregnant patients. The trend of liver function was observed in the two study groups. Maternal outcomes in terms of mode of delivery and indication of cesarean section and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in terms of fetal weight and Apgar score. Result: The comparison of trends of liver function tests were compared in both study groups. Liver enzymes that is AST, ALT and ALP were increased in both groups, whereas else LDH was within the normal range. However adverse maternal outcome was observed in 12.7% of symptomatic group patients (p<0.05). There was no difference in observation in the mode of delivery, Apgar score and MSB (macerated still birth) in both study groups. However Low birth weight baby was observed at 32.9% in the symptomatic group as compared to 25.4% in the asymptomatic group. Conclusion: From the observation of our study, we recommend doing liver function tests (LFT) in all COVID-19-positive patients as it is associated with adverse maternal outcomes and follow the growth of the fetus in the antepartum period.

Keywords: Covid-19, LFT, pregnancy, maternal, neonatal.