Experiences in performing autopsies on puerperal women who died from COVID-19

Authors

Keywords:

autopsy, COVID-19, inflammation, puerperal women, SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 causes severe pneumonias. Pregnant women experience immunological and physiological changes, which may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
Objective: To present the characteristics of a case series of maternal deaths confirmed with COVID-19.
Methods: A serial study of partial autopsies of postpartum women confirmed with SARS-CoV-2, reviewed by the special working group of pathological anatomy for COVID-19, in the year 2021, was carried out. The variables age, obstetric history and causes of death were analyzed at the Central Military Hospital "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto".
Results: In 2021, 425 pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 were attended, 16 of them died (3.8%). All of them underwent cesarean section for maternal-fetal benefit and were admitted to the intensive care unit, with comorbidities among which obesity and diabetes were more frequent. The mean date of symptom onset was 5.18 days, all contact positive cases; in the causes of death systemic hypoxia affected one third of the deceased; permeability pulmonary edema was present in 100 % of the puerperal women and in all maternal deaths there was multiple organ damage.
Conclusions: Permeability pulmonary edema affects all cases, with important impact as a cause of death, as well as in the expression of hypoxia and systemic inflammatory response. COVID-19 is the basic cause of death in all cases.

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Author Biographies

Teresita Montero González, Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto". La Habana.

Dra. C, Especialista II Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesora e Investigadora Titular, Master Ciencias de la Educación Superior, Profesora Consultante HMC Dr. Luis Díaz Soto.

José Hurtado de Mendoza Amat, Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto". La Habana.

Dr. Cs, Especialista II Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesor e Investigador Titular, Profesor Consultante HMC Dr. Luis Díaz Soto.

Virginia Capó de Paz, Instituto Medicina Tropical "Pedro Koury"

Dra. Cs, Especialista II Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesora e Investigadora Titular, Profesora Consultante IPK

Laura López Marín, Instituto Nacional de Nefrología "Abelardo Bush López"

Especialista II Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesora e Investigadora Auxiliar, Master en Investigaciones de Aterosclerosis, Jefa Sección Anatomía Patológica Istituto Nacional de Nefrología

Licet González Fabián, Instituto Nacional de Gastroenterología

Especialista II Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesora e Investigadora Auxiliar, Master en Investigaciones de Aterosclerosis, Jefa Sección Anatomía Patológica Instituto Nacional de Gastroenterología.

Rafael Venegas Rodríguez, Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

Especialista I Grado Medicina Intensiva y Emergencia, Profesor Asistente, Vicedirector Asistencial Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

Anadys Beatriz Segura Fernández, Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

Especialista II Grado Ginecoobstetrcía, Máster en Atención Integral Materna, Profesora e Investigadora Auxiliar, Jefa Docencia y Capacitación Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

Yusleidis Fraga Martinéz, Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

Especialista I Grado Anatomía Patológica, Profesor Instructor, Jefe Servicio Anatomía Patológica Hospital Militar Central "Dr. Luis Díaz Soto"

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Published

2023-09-07

How to Cite

1.
Montero González T, Hurtado de Mendoza Amat J, Capó de Paz V, López Marín L, González Fabián L, Venegas Rodríguez R, et al. Experiences in performing autopsies on puerperal women who died from COVID-19. Rev Cubana Med Milit [Internet]. 2023 Sep. 7 [cited 2025 Jan. 9];52(3):e02303104. Available from: https://revmedmilitar.sld.cu/index.php/mil/article/view/3104

Issue

Vol. 52 No. 3 (2023): July - september

Section

Research Article

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