Pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 are more likely die during gestation and delivery compared to those without SARS-CoV-2 infection, a large national cohort study shows.

Their risk of major complications such as ICU admission, postpartum bleeding, preterm birth and amniotic infection were also increased, according to French researchers.

The findings underline the importance of COVID-19 vaccination for expectant mothers, said study first author Dr Sylvie Epelboin, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at Bichat-Claude Bernard Hospital in Paris.

“The conclusions of this study … undoubtedly indicate the increased risk of maternal and obstetrical complications in women diagnosed with COVID-19 at the end of the second trimester and the third trimester of the pregnancy,” she said.