Unvaccinated pregnant woman ‘tragically’ dies of COVID after premature baby delivery

A 26-year-old woman has died from COVID-19 after spending two months in an intensive care unit after contracting the virus during her pregnancy.

Antonietta Delli Santi contracted COVID-19 when she was about six months pregnant and entered intensive care at a hospital in Naples, Italy in late August, according to La Stampa, an Italian newspaper. Doctors delivered her baby prematurely, but her daughter died a few days later and her mother followed on Sunday.

Luciano Trivelli, mayor of Montano Antilia, called his death a “tragic moment” which “should never have happened”. The 26-year-old leaves behind a young son and husband, with whom she ran a pizzeria, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano, an Italian newspaper.

“A son who will never see the one who fathered him again, a husband who will never see his beloved wife, his mother Carmelina and his father Giovanni who will never see their beloved daughter again, all of us who will never find again never your sweet smile. Antonietta has embarked on a journey to paradise, where she will meet other angels on this even darker November evening, “said Trivelli, who had known Della Santi personally from her stay in Montano Antilia, in a statement.

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19 and being put on a ventilator than non-pregnant women. They are also more likely to give birth prematurely than pregnant women who do not have COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC data revealed that about 11% of the estimated 32,000 pregnant women gave birth prematurely after contracting COVID-19. The bulk of the infections, which lasted until October 8, tested positive in the third trimester.

The CDC advises pregnant women and women who are planning to become pregnant to get vaccinated against COVID-19. This is the same recommendation made by Professor Giuseppe Servillo, head of anesthesia and intensive care at the Federico II University Hospital in Naples, where Delli Santi was being treated.

“Pregnant women must be vaccinated,” he told Adnkronos, an Italian news agency. “Pregnancy can amplify the damaging effects of COVID. “

In addition to helping protect the mother from COVID-19, several studies have shown that pregnant women who get vaccinated can help pass antibodies to their unborn children. They also found that women who breastfeed after being vaccinated can pass antibodies to their children.

Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that Delli Santi had been advised against getting the vaccine. This is the opinion of Walter Ricciardi, adviser to Minister of Health Roberto Speranza, described as “criminal” and “ignorant” on Twitter.

Il Messaggero, an Italian newspaper based in Rome, reported that Delli Santi had severe scars on his lungs from COVID-19.