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

Rosa Sessa, Simone Filardo, Luisa Masciullo, Marisa Di Pietro, Antonio Angeloni, Gabriella Brandolino, Roberto Brunelli, Rossella D’Alisa, Maria Federica Viscardi, Emanuela Anastasi and Maria Grazia Porpora ()
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Rosa Sessa: Microbiology Section, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Simone Filardo: Microbiology Section, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Luisa Masciullo: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Marisa Di Pietro: Microbiology Section, Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Antonio Angeloni: Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Gabriella Brandolino: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Roberto Brunelli: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Rossella D’Alisa: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Federica Viscardi: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Emanuela Anastasi: Department of Experimental Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Grazia Porpora: Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-15

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.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; pregnancy outcomes; vertical transmission; neonatal outcomes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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