Factors associated with COVID-19 severity among Brazilian pregnant adolescents: a population-based study^*

Abstract

Objective:

to identify the factors associated with need for intensive care unit admission of Brazilian pregnant adolescents with COVID-19.

Method:

population-based non-concurrent cohort study using secondary databases. Brazilian pregnant adolescents who had laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, between March 14, 2020 and April 11, 2021 were included in the study. Statistical analysis using the Poisson multiple regression model, estimating the relative risk and respective 95% confidence intervals, with values of p <0.05 considered significant.

Results:

in total, 282 pregnant women were included in the study, with median age of 17 years, most with brown skin, in the third trimester of pregnancy, and living in urban or peri-urban areas. The intensive care unit admission rate was 14.5%, associated with living in the Southeast region of Brazil (RR=5.03, 95%CI=1.78-14.24, p=0.002), oxygen saturation below 95% (RR=2.62, 95%CI=1.17-5.87, p=0.019), and having some comorbidity (RR=2.05, 95%CI=1.01-4.16, p=0.047).

Conclusion:

the intensive care unit admission rate was high among Brazilian pregnant adolescents and was associated with living in the Southeast region of Brazil, having some comorbidity and/or presenting low oxygen saturation.

Descriptors:
Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Adolescence; Adolescence; COVID-19; Pandemic; Intensive Care Units

Highlights:

(1) The ICU admission rate of pregnant adolescents was high: 14.5%.

(2) Low oxygen saturation was a predictor of COVID-19 severity.

(3) Living in the Southeast region in Brazil increased the risk of ICU admission by five times.

(4) Having some comorbidity increased the risk of ICU admission by two times.