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

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.