CDC Surveillance Data Suggest How Pregnancy Affects COVID-19's Symptoms and Management

The consequences of COVID-19 in pregnant women remain incompletely understood. Investigators reviewed CDC surveillance data from January 22 to June 7, 2020, among women of reproductive age (range, 15–44). Of 91,000 women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and known pregnancy status, 8200 (9%) were pregnant.

Cough occurred in about 52% of all women and shortness of breath in 30%, but pregnant women were less likely than nonpregnant women to have fever (34% vs. 42%), muscle aches (38% vs. 47%), chills (29% vs. 36%), and diarrhea (14% vs. 23%). Diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular disease were more frequent in pregnant than nonpregnant women. Compared with nonpregnant women, those who were pregnant were more likely to be…