From March 2020 to September 2021, the risk for stillbirth was 90% higher among women who had a COVID-19 diagnosis at delivery versus those who did not, and that risk rose significantly when the coronavirus delta variant became prevalent starting in July 2021, according to a report in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). A second MMWR report showed the COVID-19 mortality rate among pregnant women in Mississippi increased from five per 1,000 infections before the delta variant period to 25 per 1,000 infections in the second half of 2021. The researchers say vaccination against COVID-19 in the pregnant population is the best strategy for preventing stillbirth. The CDC updated its COVID-19 obstetric guidance last week to reflect this research. (Medpage Today article, 11/19/21)
