Seroprevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies among first‐trimester pregnant women during the second wave of the pandemic in India. Issue 1 (16th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sharma, Kandala Aparna; Singh, Nilanchali; Hillman, Sara; Mathur, Purva; Yadav, Kapil; Garg, Anapti; Dadhwal, Vatsla; Bhatla, Neerja
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics. Volume 160:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 74
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2022-04-16
• Subjects: COVID -- first trimester -- pandemic -- pregnancy -- SARS‐CoV‐2 -- seroprevalence -- wave; Gynecology -- Periodicals; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618
• DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7292

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Data on the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 during pregnancy are lacking and the potential role and effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in pregnancy is yet to be completely investigated. Method: This is a cross‐sectional observational study wherein pregnant women were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G levels, irrespective of their infective status or presence or symptomatology. Result: Of the 220 pregnant women tested, 160 (72.7%) were SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG positive, 37 (16.8%) were SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM positive and 27 (16.9%) were both IgG and IgM positive. The average antibody titer found was 10.49 BAU/ml (±14.0) and 0.6 (±0.55) for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG and IgM non neutralizing antibodies respectively. ROC analysis for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG positivity showed a cut‐off value of 1.19 with a sensitivity of 99.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI) and specificity of 98.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI), respectively. Similarly, ROC analysis for SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM positivity showed a cut‐off value of 1 with a sensitivity of 97.3% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI) and specificity of 98.9% (0.99 AUC, 95% CI), respectively. Conclusion: First trimester sero‐molecular screening suggests a high prevalence of COVID antibodies in the study population of pregnant women in the first trimester, without the patients being symptomatic.