Cytokine and Inflammatory Markers in Pregnant Post COVID-19 Survivors

Background: Post covid syndrome is a cluster of health problems following primary COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 is accompanied with cytokine storm which causes unfavorable gestation events. Objective: We aimed to assess inflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 8 (IL8) and C-reactive protein (CRP) during early recovery period from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methodology: It is a case control study. It included 400 pregnant women. Case group included 200 women with singleton pregnancies tested positive by nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 and blood samples withdrawn within 4–6 weeks after the last negative for SARS-CoV-2 swab. Control group consisted of age matched pregnant women not infected with COVID-19. Measurement of CRP, IL8, and IL6 was done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ElISA). Results: Higher levels of inflammatory cytokines were notable among case group versus controls mean±S.D for IL6 was (4.90±1.65) among case group vs. (5.30±1.91) among control group, confidence interval (CI); (-.751-.048). As for IL8 Median (min-max) among case group versus controls = 30 (30-250) vs. 30 (30-450), p<0.05 respectively. No statically different noticed in CRP levels; mean±S.D (3.0±0.6) among case group vs. (3.1 ± 0.9) among control group, CI: (-.282-.044), P=0.153. Statistically significant differences was observed between studied groups regarding haemoglobin level, platelet and white blood cell count (p=0.002, 0.00, and 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Pregnant women in post recovery phase of COVID-19 possessed higher levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL6 & IL8) in comparison to non-infected pregnant women. Potentially having an effect on of some health parameters and affecting pregnancy outcomes.