Post‐COVID‐19 fetal cardiac evaluation in moderate infection group of pregnant women

Abstract

Purpose To determine the long‐term fetal cardiac effects of the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnant women recovered from moderate COVID‐19 with fetal echocardiography (ECHO). Methods Forty‐five pregnant women that recovered from moderate COVID‐19 (CRG) 4 weeks after the infection confirmation, were compared with 45 gestational and maternal age‐matched control groups (CG) in terms of demographic features fetal cardiac morphological (sphericity index, cardiothoracic ratio), and functional (myocardial performance index, mitral E/A, tricuspid E/A, mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) parameters. Results There was no difference in demographic features between the groups. Fetal cardiac morphologic parameters were found to be similar between the two groups. When the fetal cardiac functional assessment of the two groups was compared, only mitral E/A ratio results were found to be statistically significantly lower in the CRG than in the control group (p = 0.030). Conclusion The fetal heart does not seem to be negatively affected by COVID‐19 after recovery from moderate infection. These results about the fetal effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 may improve our limited knowledge of the utility of fetal ECHO in pregnant women who recovered from COVID‐19.

The effect of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on cardiac function in post‐COVID‐19 survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Pooled analysis in seven reports from five studies involving 962 individuals (514 post-COVID-19 cases and 448 controls) 13,17,18,23,27 showed a significant association between SARS-CoV-…”

Fetal echocardiography: One of the most important tools in fetal diagnosis and assessing wellbeing

“…However, if the infection develops, other parameters of abnormal diastolic function in FE exam might occur. 8 To date, this has been the first study that evaluates fetal cardiac effects of COVID-19 in the literature and these specific findings will improve our limited information of the utility of FE in pregnant women who recovered from COVID-19.…”

“…Mitral E/A might be seen earlier than other parameters and this could be one of the first symptoms of ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which in a moderate infection will regress later on. However, if the infection develops, other parameters of abnormal diastolic function in FE exam might occur 8 . To date, this has been the first study that evaluates fetal cardiac effects of COVID‐19 in the literature and these specific findings will improve our limited information of the utility of FE in pregnant women who recovered from COVID‐19.…”

“…FE as an essential part of ultrasound examination can be also used in monitoring fetus with suspected congenital infection 8 . Viral infections are the major cause of fetal morbidity and mortality.…”

“…9 We hypothesize that this silent phase of infection may be detected by FE and the study of moderate COVID 19 infection during the pregnancy presented by Goncu Ayhan et al might be one of the first which proved this theory. 8 In December 2019 a novel coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2 emerged in China and spread across the globe, causing significant public health and economic problems. Physiologic maternal adaptations to pregnancy predispose pregnant women to a more severe course of viral pneumonia during COVID 19 infection, with a higher risk of maternal mortality and morbidity, as reported for influenza or varicella infection.…”