Influence of SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy: a placental view

Abstract

Introduction Since the beginning of the current coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), there has been great concern over a disease that has spread rapidly in several countries worldwide, with the result of several deaths, including deaths of pregnant women. Objective Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on placental changes in infected pregnant women and/or asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 during pregnancy, aiming at the possible vertical transmission. Methodology A systematic collection was carried out on the effects of that COVID-19 can cause directly and/or indirectly to pregnancy and the placenta in the following databases: Pubmed, Science Direct, Scielo, Lilacs and Web of Science. For search, the following descriptors were used: placenta, pregnant woman, COVID-19, maternal-fetal. Results The results indicate transplacental transmission in some cases reviewed in many reports from this study. The presence of the virus was seen in the amniotic fluid, umbilical cord and peripheral blood. Finally, pathological studies suggest that there are morphological changes related to infection in the placentas. Conclusion We can conclude that, based on the researched material, there is little evidence of transplacental vertical viral transmission and its respective morphological changes related to viral infection in the placenta.

SARS- CoV-2 infection and oxidative stress in early-onset preeclampsia

“…Initial observations of the effect of COVID-19 on the placenta seem to show that this organ is not greatly affected by the disease since no pathology associated with maternal disease was seen [94] , [95] . It is important to consider that the average age of pregnant women is precisely that which is not associated with severe disease progression, and this could decrease the frequency of pathology observed in the placenta.…”

COVID-19, placenta y transmisión vertical

“…Las primeras observaciones del efecto la COVID-19 sobre la placenta parecen indicar que este órgano no se ve muy afectado por la enfermedad. No se observó alguna patología asociada a la enfermedad materna (10,11). Es importante tomar en cuenta que la edad promedio de las gestantes es justamente aquella que no está asociada con progresión grave de la enfermedad y esto podría disminuir la frecuencia de patología observada en la placenta.…”

Breast Milk and COVID-19: From Conventional Data to “Omics” Technologies to Investigate Changes Occurring in SARS-CoV-2 Positive Mothers

“…Transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and specific antibodies, previously considered doubtful [ 4 ], has been demonstrated, albeit in a few cases [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…Transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and specific antibodies, previously considered doubtful [4], has been demonstrated, albeit in a few cases [5][6][7][8][9]. Dong et al, although did not detect SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk (BM) from a positive mother and in her newborn swab, found specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) in milk samples and serum IgG in the newborn since a month and half after birth, suggesting transplacental antibodies' transmission [10].…”