Study: Coronavirus Hits Harder Later In Pregnancy
NHK has learned that a study of pregnant women infected with the coronavirus shows they face a higher risk of developing serious symptoms in the later stages of pregnancy.
The Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists conducted a survey of about 2,200 maternal clinics and hospitals nationwide.
The society says nearly 1,500 clinics and hospitals responded. They reported a total of 72 cases of pregnant women who had contracted the coronavirus by the end of June.
The society took a closer look at the 58 women who developed symptoms, such as fever.
They found that of the 39 women who were less than 29 weeks into their pregnancy, four were diagnosed with pneumonia. Three of the 39 received oxygen therapy.
Of the 19 women who were 29 weeks or more into their pregnancy, 10 were found to have pneumonia. Seven of the 19 were given oxygen treatment.
The society says a foreign tourist died. She became infected with the coronavirus shortly after arriving in Japan. It says the other women recovered and most of them had no lingering symptoms.
It says there were no reports of newborns becoming infected.
Showa University Professor Sekizawa Akihiko, who was in charge of the survey, says few pregnant women have contracted the virus as they took preventive measures.
He says the survey shows that pregnant women do not face an exceptionally high risk of becoming seriously ill, but women later in their term tend to develop more serious symptoms.
