
Comparison of the Haematological and Psychological Parameters between COVID-19 Positive Pregnant and Non Pregnant Female: A Case-control Study from Tertiary Care Centre, Puducherry, India
QC09-QC13
Correspondence
Dr. P Sabita,
Associate Professor and Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Vazhudavour Road,
Kathirkamam, Puducherry, India.
E-mail: sabita.kutty@gmail.com
Introduction: Pregnancy is associated with lot of physiological and psychological changes, and it becomes important to study these changes in the background of COVID-19. A simple Complete Blood Count (CBC) can help to indicate the COVID-19 disease severity.
Aim: To understand the differences in the haematological and psychological parameters between COVID-19 infected pregnant females and age-matched non pregnant COVID-19 infected females.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India, from October 2020 to December 2020. Data collection was in an ambispective manner. Haematological values {Total Leukocyte Count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)} were obtained from routine CBC and for the psychological component (scales- beliefs, practices for prevention of infection, fear, global) a pre-tested validated questionnaire was used. The questionnaire used the Likert scale and comprised of a total of 29 questions with a maximum score of 145. These scales analysed psychological apprehensions in general population and its impact on pregnancy and reproductive health of women. Categorical variables were expressed as mean±Standard Deviation (SD). Student t-test was used for comparison of means.
Results: The present study included 80 participants with 40 in each of the pregnant and non pregnant group. The total leukocyte count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, NLR and RDW were the haematological parameters with statistically significant difference between the two groups (p-value <0.001). While the mean total score of COVID-19 psychological impact in the COVID-19 pregnant women was 79.42±20.18 and higher in COVID-19 non pregnant women (88.92±20.77).
Conclusion: The significant difference in the haematological parameters of both the groups indicates the differential impact of COVID-19 in pregnant women. ‘Coronaphobia’ is on the rise and addressing this concern is important for holistic delivery of healthcare in patients.