Vol 91, No 9 (2020)
Review paper
Published online: 2020-09-23
Impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and delivery — current knowledge
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Abstract
The World Health Organization announced on 12 March 2020 a global pandemic of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing
COVID-19 disease associated with pneumonia and acute respiratory failure. SARS-CoV-2 has caused so far over 6.66 million
recorded cases, of which 393,000 ended in death (as of June 1, 2020). Despite the demographic statistics of incidence,
there is no current recording of cases in the group of pregnant or perinatal women. Changes occurring in the female body
system during pregnancy also affect and alter the immune system, and as studies based on other viral respiratory infections
have shown, the population of pregnant women is at risk of having a severe course of the disease. The aim of the study is
to summarize current reports on the course of COVID-19 disease in a group of pregnant women and the possible impact
of SARS-CoV-2 on the foetus and vertical transmission, taking into account changes occurring in the woman’s immune
system during pregnancy. Available advice and recommendations for antenatal and perinatal care of pregnant women
during the pandemic period are also included.
Keywords: COVID-19SARS-CoV-2coronaviruspregnancydeliverybreastfeeding
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