THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 IN PREGNANT WOMEN: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Since 2019, the global emergency of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, has profoundly transformed global health. Pregnant women face unique challenges due to physiological changes that increase their vulnerability to infection and complicate clinical management. This study examines therapeutic approaches for COVID-19 in pregnant women, aiming to enhance clinical practices and maternal-fetal health outcomes. The review involved 17 studies from databases such as Scielo, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on identifying specific treatments. Research indicates that pregnant women do not show higher susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 compared to the general population, emphasizing the safety of vaccination during pregnancy. Clinical management recommends the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), rigorous monitoring of vital signs, and continuity of prenatal care. Normal deliveries are recommended. Treatments such as remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin are considered, with special attention to chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine doses due to potential adverse effects. Supportive therapies such as oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation are indicated for pregnant women with low oxygen saturation. Steroids like dexamethasone and methylprednisolone have shown efficacy in severe cases. In cases requiring hospitalization, glucocorticosteroids, low molecular weight heparin, and antibiotics should be considered. It is concluded that the treatment for pregnant women with COVID-19 follows principles similar to the general population, adapted to clinical and obstetric particularities, underscoring the need for further specific research to improve health outcomes in this vulnerable population.