Monoclonal Antibodies for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy : A Cohort Study

Abstract

Randomized controlled trials of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of COVID-19 excluded pregnant persons. A retrospective, propensity score–matched, cohort study was conducted in a large health care system to examine the effect of several mAbs on hospitalization, obstetric-associated safety outcomes, and death during pregnancy.

Abstract

Visual Abstract.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment in Pregnancy.

Randomized controlled trials of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of COVID-19 excluded pregnant persons. A retrospective, propensity score–matched, cohort study was conducted in a large health care system to examine the effect of several mAbs on hospitalization, obstetric-associated safety outcomes, and death during pregnancy.

Abstract

Background:

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment decreases hospitalization and death in high-risk outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. However, no studies have evaluated adverse events and effectiveness of mAbs in pregnant persons compared with no mAb treatment.

Objective:

To determine the frequency of drug-related adverse events and obstetric-associated safety outcomes after treatment with mAb compared with no mAb treatment of pregnant persons, and the association between mAb treatment and a composite of 28-day COVID-19–related hospital admission or emergency department (ED) visit, COVID-19–associated delivery, or mortality.

Design:

Retrospective, propensity score–matched, cohort study.

Setting:

UPMC Health System from 30 April 2021 to 21 January 2022.

Participants:

Persons aged 12 years or older with a pregnancy episode and any documented positive SARS-CoV-2 test (polymerase chain reaction or antigen test).

Intervention:

Bamlanivimab and etesevimab, casirivimab and imdevimab, or sotrovimab treatment compared with no mAb treatment.

Measurements:

Drug-related adverse events, obstetric-associated safety outcomes among persons who delivered, and a risk-adjusted composite of 28-day COVID-19–related hospital admission or ED visit, COVID-19–associated delivery, or mortality.

Results:

Among 944 pregnant persons (median age [interquartile range (IQR)], 30 years [26 to 33 years]; White (79.5%; n = 750); median Charlson Comorbidity Index score [IQR], 0 [0 to 0]), 552 received mAb treatment (58%). Median gestational age at COVID-19 diagnosis or treatment was 179 days (IQR, 123 to 227), and most persons received sotrovimab (69%; n = 382). Of those with known vaccination status, 392 (62%) were fully vaccinated. Drug-related adverse events were uncommon ( n = 8; 1.4%), and there were no differences in any obstetric-associated outcome among 778 persons who delivered. In the total population, the risk ratio for mAb treatment of the composite 28-day COVID-19–associated outcome was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.37 to 1.4). The propensity score–matched risk ratio was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.34 to 1.1). There were no deaths among mAb-treated patients compared with 1 death in the nontreated control patients. There were more non-COVID-19–related hospital admissions in the mAb-treated persons in the unmatched cohort (14 [2.5%] vs. 2 [0.5%]; risk ratio, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.1 to 21.7); however, there was no difference in the propensity score–matched rates, which were 2.5% mAb-treated vs. 2% untreated (risk ratio, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.58% to 2.8%).

Limitations:

Drug-related adverse events were patient and provider reported and potentially underrepresented. Symptom severity at the time of SARS-CoV-2 testing was not available for nontreated patients.

Conclusion:

In pregnant persons with mild to moderate COVID-19, adverse events after mAb treatment were mild and rare. There was no difference in obstetric-associated safety outcomes between mAb treatment and no treatment among persons who delivered. There was no difference in 28-day COVID-19–associated outcomes and non-COVID-19–related hospital admissions for mAb treatment compared with no mAb treatment in a propensity score–matched cohort.

Primary Funding Source:

No funding was received for this study.