Background. Vertical transmission of several viruses during pregnancy has been shown to cause adverse fetal outcomes. The question about the possibility of a similar outcome in association with SARS-CoV-2 has been raised in recently published articles. Indeed, the rate of transmission through the placenta to the fetus reported in women with COVID-19 has been shown to form a minority. The aim of this study was to explore the possible histopathological changes in the placenta of pregnant women with COVID-19 after delivery and those changes in the umbilical cord. Methods. A case-control study including a total of 50 full-term pregnant women with COVID-19 and 60 control pregnant females. Histopathological evaluation of placental tissues and umbilical cords were reported. Results. The main findings in the umbilical cord were increased thickness of vessels, thrombus formation, endothelins, and narrow lumen; except for the increased thickness of blood vessels, these findings were more frequently seen in women with COVID-19, in comparison with control women in a significant manner (
p
<
0.05
). Increased thickness of blood vessels was more significantly observed in the control group compared to the COVID-19 group (
p
<
0.01
). Findings of the placenta included avascular villi, fibrin, thrombosis, and meconium macrophage in various combinations. Except for fibrin as the sole findings, all other findings including combinations were more frequently encountered in the study group in comparison to the control group (
p
<
0.05
). Conclusion. Pregnant women with COVID-19 have significant pathological alterations in the placenta and umbilical cord. These findings reflect the capability of SARS-CoV-2 in causing immunological reactions to the placenta, either directly or indirectly, and these pathologies may be linked to the higher rate of adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal admission to the intensive care unit.
Background: Viral infections during pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal as well as fetal outcomes such as higher rates of miscarriage, perinatal mortality, restriction of fetal growth and preterm delivery. Aim of the study: to explore maternal outcomes and hematological alterations in a sample of Iraqi pregnant women. Patients and methods: The current cross sectional study was carried out in Obstetric department in Al Imamain Al-Kadhimain Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq, including a total of 55 full term pregnant women who were grouped into 25 women with SARS-Cov-2 and 30 control pregnant women, starting from January 2021 through December 2021. Results: Fever was the most common symptom, which was reported in 12 cases (48.0 %), and it was followed by cough that was seen in 9 cases (36.0 %). Gastrointestinal symptoms in the form of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were seen in 2 cases (8.0 %). Leaking liquor was seen in a single case of COVID-19 women. Pregnancy induced hypertension, antepartum hemorrhage and diabetes mellitus were seen in 2 cases of COVID-19 women for each event; with no significant difference between groups. The rate of cesarean section was higher in COVID-19 group in comparison with control group, 19 (76.0 %) versus 13 (43.3 %), respectively and the difference was significant (p = 0.014). Conclusion: COVID-19 at time of pregnancy is accompanied by higher rate of cesarean section because of fetal distress with no significant increase in fetal or maternal mortality rates and the main hematological changes are leukopenia and lymphopenia.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.