Pregnant, Postpartum Women More Severely Affected During Covid Second Wave Than First: ICMR

Symptomatic cases were significantly higher in pregnant and postpartum women at 28.7 per cent in the second wave between February 1, 2021 to May 14.

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New Delhi: A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed that pregnant and postpartum women were more severely affected during the second wave of Coronavirus as compared to the first with symptomatic cases and the fatality rate being significantly higher among this category this year. 

According to the study, symptomatic cases were significantly higher in pregnant and postpartum women at 28.7 per cent in the second wave between February 1, 2021 to May 14. 111 out of 387 women were found to have contracted the virus. 

Meanwhile, the proportion was mere 14.2 per cent in the first wave April 1, 2020 - January 31, 2021 as only 162 out of 1143 such women got infected with Covid-19. 

Maternal Deaths During First And Second Wave

As per the research, the total number of maternal deaths during both the waves of pandemic were 2 per cent (30/1530), of which the majority (28/30) were due to COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. 

The case fatality rate (CFR) among pregnant women and postpartum women was 5.7 per cent (22/387) during the second wave, which was significantly higher compared to the scenario encounter in the first wave with CFR 0.7 per cent (8/1143). 

The study conducted by ICMR also highlights the importance of vaccination of pregnant and lactating women against COVID-19. The Government of India has allowed vaccination for all lactating women in the country. 

However, vaccination for pregnant women has still not been approved by the government due to lack of clinical data stating that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) evaluating scientific evidence to give the idea a green signal.

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