SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pregnancy: Clues and Proof of Adverse Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents one of the most threatening viral infections in the last decade. Amongst susceptible individuals, infected pregnant women might be predisposed to severe complications. Despite the extensive interest in SARS-CoV-2 research, the clinical course of maternal infection, the vertical transmission and the neonatal outcomes have not been completely understood yet. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection, obstetric outcomes and vertical transmission. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed, enrolling unvaccinated pregnant patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 (cases) and matched with uninfected pregnant women (controls). Maternal and neonatal nasopharyngeal swabs, maternal and cord blood, amniotic fluid and placenta tissue samples were collected; blood samples were tested for anti-S and anti-N antibodies, and histologic examination of placental tissues was performed. Results: The cases showed a significant association with the development of some obstetric complications, such as intrauterine growth restriction and pregnancy-associated hypothyroidism and diabetes, as compared to controls; their newborns were more likely to have a low birth weight and an arterial umbilical pH less than 7. The viral genome was detected in maternal and cord blood and placental samples in six cases. Conclusions: Pregnant women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection are more likely to develop severe obstetric outcomes; their newborns could have a low birth weight and arterial pH. Vertical transmission seems a rare event, and further investigation is strongly needed.

Sars-Cov-2 Infection During Pregnancy and Risk of Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review

“…Women with preeclampsia should be considered a particularly vulnerable group with regard to the risks posed by COVID-19. 8 showed pregnant women positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection are more likely to develop severe obstetric outcomes; their newborns could have a low birth weight and arterial pH. Vertical transmission seems a rare event, and further investigation is strongly needed.…”

Prompt Placental Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Assessment after SARS-CoV-2 Infection during Pregnancy—Our Perspective of a Small Group

“…Treatment involved administering vitamin therapy and antipyretics, and a small percentage of patients received anticoagulants. Sessa et al describes in a study that out of the 68 women who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 35.29% were symptomatic while 64.71% were asymptomatic [12].…”

Intrauterine transmission, pregnant outcomes after infection of SARS-CoV-2 during first or second trimester: a small cohort study during Omicron stage

“…Another major concern about infection is the impact on pregnancy outcome. The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes were increased, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth and maternal complications 3,7 . However, alarge Cohort study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased risk of preterm birth only among women infected during late pregnancy 24 .…”

“…They also found that vertical transmission (3.5%; 95% con dence interval, 2.7−4.7) was rare. Evidence from large cohort and multi-center studies also revealed that vertical transmission was possible but rare 7 . However, most of these data were based on late pregnancy.…”