Rapid recovery achieved by intensive therapy after preterm cesarean section for worsening COVID-19-induced acute respiratory failure: A case report and literature review

A 31-year-old woman (gravida 3, para 2) presented at hospital in the 33rd week of gestation with concerns of general malaise, a productive cough, and impaired taste. She was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after a nasal antigen test; a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed pneumonia. The patient developed dyspnea on the third day of hospitalization, and it worsened the following day. Oxygen inhalation and steroid administration were started. Since the dyspnea was worsening, an emergency cesarean delivery was performed to allow intensification of maternal treatment. A postoperative CT scan showed that the pneumonia was getting worse, and the administration of remdesivir was started immediately. The dyspnea improved rapidly, and medication was discontinued on postoperative day 4. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. Thus, a patient in the third trimester of pregnancy with COVID-19 whose respiratory condition worsened was successfully treated by early delivery and subsequent intensive treatment.