Risks associated with viral infections during pregnancy

Why are pregnant women susceptible to COVID-19? An immunological viewpoint

“…There is ample evidence that systemic maternal viral infections can also affect pregnancy (Racicot and Mor, 2017). Previous studies have shown that SARS infection during pregnancy can lead to high rates of spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and intrauterine growth restriction (Wong et al, 2004).…”

One size does not fit all – Patterns of vulnerability and resilience in the COVID-19 pandemic and why heterogeneity of disease matters

“…In addition to children, pregnant women also represent a vulnerable population at risk for emerging viral infections, with increased risk of complications in influenza, including the 2009 influenza H1N1 pandemic (Siston et al, 2010), varicella virus, measles and the severe foetal consequences of Zika virus (reviewed in (Racicot and Mor, 2017)). Interestingly, and in line with the pattern of COVID-19 producing milder symptoms in children, there is currently no evidence for increased risk of severe outcomes of COVID-19 in pregnant women.…”

Magnesium sulfate differentially modulates fetal membrane inflammation in a time‐dependent manner

“…38 We previously reported that a viral infection of the FM can augment LPS-induced IL-1β production through activation of the NLPR3 inflammasome. 26 This combined with an increasing awareness of the potential impact viral infections may have on the maternal-fetal interface, and on pregnancy outcomes, 10,39,40 prompted us to test the effects of MgSO 4 using this model. We report herein that MgSO 4 given 1 hour post-LPS inhibited the augmented FM inflammation induced by combination viral dsRNA and bacterial LPS.…”