Nosocomial Covid-19 Infection in Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Sections: A prospective cohort study

Objectives: To determine the nosocomial infection rate in women undergoing elective cesarean section Design: Non-randomized prospective cohort trial Setting: Two large-volume obstetrical units at academic institutions Population: Women undergoing elective cesarean section during the reopening phase of the Covid-19 pandemic in New York State Methods: Eligible patients with negative pre-operative Covid-19 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test and IgG antibody test were re-tested 6-9 days after discharge. Main Outcome Measures: The primary objective was the Covid-19 test conversion rate defined as a positive PCR test after discharge with a negative pre-operative test. This was used as a proxy for the nosocomial infection rate. Results: No patients with a negative PCR test pre-operatively had a positive PCR test for the Covid-19 virus postoperatively. Conclusions: With a strict and methodical perioperative and postpartum protocol, we can limit nosocomial Covid-19 infections in women undergoing elective cesarean section. Funding: No external funding was obtained for this study Keywords: Covid-19, Cesarean Section, Nosocomial Infection