The incidence of congenital anomalies in newborns before and during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Pregnant women are one of the most vulnerable groups in the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the lack of knowledge about fetal and perinatal complications following Covid-19 infection, the association of Covid-19 pandemic and congenital anomalies in babies conceived and born during this pandemic is unclear. Current study aimed to investigate the association between the Covid-19 pandemic and congenital birth anomalies in Iran. The population of newborns whose embryonic period coincided with the Covid-19 crises were compared with a similar group born during the pre-Covid-19 period. Methods This is a retrospective comparative analysis of congenital birth anomalies in Iran; desired data was extracted from national birth registry database. All registered congenital anomalies in hospital births were compared between two time periods: During Covid-19 (1st November 2020- 28th February 2021) and Before Covid-19 (1st November 2019-29th February 2020). Incidence of congenital anomalies at birth were compared and analyzed between these two time periods. Results The incidence of congenital birth anomalies are significantly increased during Covid-19 pandemic compared with before Covid-19 (P value < 0.00001). The number of all types of anomalies has increased in the current pandemic, but the congenital anomalies of the central nervous system (P value = 0.04) and Genitourinary (P value = 0.03) have a larger contribution than before. Conclusion Covid-19 pandemic are associated with congenital anomalies at birth. There are several factors in the Covid-19 pandemic which can affect fetal development in the first trimester of pregnancy. Possible reasons include vertical transmission of Covid-19 infection; maternal fever, stress and anxiety; insufficient preconception and prenatal care; neglect of fetal screening; and poverty imposed by this pandemic.

Outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in early pregnancy—A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Case descriptions of congenital malformations after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection have been sporadically reported, 41,42 and examples from this review include a neonate diagnosed with unilateral microphthalmia, microcornea, and hypoplasia of both the optic nerve and the neurosensory retina at birth, 32 and a cardiac malformation associated with pigmented lesion of the retina 16 . Teratogenic effects of certain viral infections are well documented, and a recent study reported a significantly increased incidence of congenital birth anomalies during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared with before COVID‐19 ( p < 0.00001); 43 however, it should be noted that all but one study in this systematic review only report case descriptions and the high incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infections among pregnant women increases the chance of co‐incidental observations.…”

Year 2022: exploring COVID-19 pandemic in children

“…Finally, Covid-19 pandemic had also an impact on reproductive health, perinatal period, and childbirth. In Iran, the incidence of congenital birth anomalies had been found significantly increased during pandemic period, mainly referring to congenital anomalies of the central nervous and genitourinary systems [ 47 – 49 ]. Many factors might have contribute to congenital abnormalities, including chronic maternal stress, decreased routine access to prenatal care for foetal screening and diagnosis and poverty [ 47 ].…”

Exploring the Role of Neuroplasticity in Development, Aging, and Neurodegeneration

“…For example, rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to congenital malformations, including hearing loss and intellectual disabilities [178]. Although the association between COVID-19 and congenital anomalies in babies conceived and born during the pandemic is still unclear due to the lack of knowledge on fetal and perinatal complications following COVID-19 infection, some studies have shown an increase in the rate of CNS congenital anomalies during the pandemic [179][180][181]. The long-term neuroplastic changes caused by COVID-19 infections are still unclear and require further investigation.…”