Salud materna y neonatal en Ecuador durante la pandemia de COVID-19: perspectivas epidemiológicas de 2020-2023

Covid-19 has been a global public health issue, significantly impacting maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes the maternal and neonatal consequences of Covid-19 infection during pregnancy in Ecuador from 2020 to 2023, using data from the Ministry of Public Health. A total of 16,556 pregnant women and 5,706 newborns were infected, with 183 maternal and 428 neonatal deaths. The pandemic reduced access to healthcare services, with deficits of 46% in prenatal care, 28% in delivery care, and 38% in postnatal care. Comorbidities included NICU admission (45.2%), vertical transmission (34.9%), prematurity (26.8%), and fetal distress (21.9%). Among 56 infected neonates, 25% had fever, 14.2% tachypnea and dyspnea, and 37% lymphocytosis. Chest X-rays showed moderate bilateral opacities in 7.1%. This study highlights the need to improve prenatal and neonatal care to reduce complications.