Background: The impact of maternal COVID-19 infection on fetal and neonatal outcomes remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the association between COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and fetal-neonatal outcomes.
Methods: In this historical cohort study, data from 349 pregnant women (86 COVID-19–infected and 263 non-infected) who delivered at Bohlol Hospital in Gonabad, Iran, between 2020 and 2022 were analyzed. Demographics, obstetric history, pregnancy complications, and fetal-neonatal outcomes were extracted from medical records. Linear, logistic, and Firth logistic regression models were used to analyze data.
Results: Women with COVID-19 had higher proportions of prior pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes, miscarriage, and precipitous labor, and higher current gestational diabetes and preeclampsia (all p < 0.05). Infants of infected mothers had higher mean birth weight (adjusted B = 203.66, 95% CI 71.44–335.48, p = 0.003) and lower risk of low birth weight (adjusted OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.10–0.73, p = 0.010). Although unadjusted analyses suggested higher odds of ventilation dependency and resuscitation among infants of infected mothers, these were not significant after adjustment (ventilation aOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.12–2.69, p = 0.466; resuscitation aOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.14–1.21, p = 0.105). No significant differences were found for preterm birth, early neonatal death, NICU admission, or Apgar scores.
Conclusion: Maternal COVID-19 infection was not associated with adverse effects on fetal-neonatal outcomes in this cohort. These findings provide reassurance for pregnant women and clinicians and underscore the importance of standard prenatal care and continued surveillance during future pandemics.
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Orginal Article |
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● Disease Control Received: 2025/10/14 | Accepted: 2026/01/27 | Published: 2026/11/4