Severe COVID-19 in a Postpartum Woman: A Three-Month Challenge with Convalescent Plasma and Corticosteroid

Zahra Soleimani; Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh; Azam Soleimani

doi:10.18502/fem.v5i4.6699

Zahra Soleimani Nephrology and Urology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sedigheh Hantoushzadeh Valiasr Maternal Fetal Neonatal Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Azam Soleimani Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fem.v5i4.6699

Keywords: Blood Component Transfusion; Convalescent Plasma Transfusion; COVID-19; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Introduction: Management of seriously ill patients infected with new corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) is challenging especially in pregnancy and postpartum state.

Case presentation: A 39- year-old primigravid critically ill woman with acute respiratory distress (ARDS) due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection underwent urgent cesarean delivery (a healthy neonate) at 33 weeks and 5/7 of pregnancy. She received treatments including hydroxychloroquine, antivirals and broad-spectrum antibiotics while she was intubated for mechanical ventilation. In spite of all treatments, she developed a critical course after the mild primary clinical improvement. Convalescent plasma transfusion as a rescue treatment was performed and led to an improvement in her general condition and delayed gradual recovery in respiratory function after two months.

Conclusion: The promising role of early treatment with convalescent plasma transfusion in seriously ill pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2, needs to be elucidated by further randomized studies.