Approach to intrapartum fever during the COVID-19 pandemic: A New York City Hospital experience

Am J Infect Control. 2024 Jul;52(7):860-862. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.04.002. Epub 2024 Apr 5.

Abstract

The yield of repeat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronovirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing for intrapartum fever in patients admitted to labor and delivery negative for SARS-CoV-2 on admission testing is unknown. From October 2020 to June 2022, we performed a retrospective study of 151/3,168 (4.8%) patients who had repeat testing for intrapartum fever. One (0.7%) patient was SARS-CoV-2-positive suggesting repeat SARS-CoV-2 testing for intrapartum fever is generally not warranted nor is separating birthing dyads while awaiting test results.

Keywords: Birthing dyad separation; Infection prevention and control; SARS-CoV-2 testing.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fever*
  • Humans
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / virology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*