open access

Vol 92, No 5 (2021)
Review paper
Published online: 2021-04-23
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COVID-19 during pregnancy one year on — what lessons did we learn?

Filip Nowakowski1, Karolina Krajewska1, Katarzyna Klimek1, Waldemar Wierzba23, Artur Jacek Jakimiuk14
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Pubmed: 33914310
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Ginekol Pol 2021;92(5):383-386.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Central Clinical Hospital of Interior, Warsaw, Poland
  2. Central Clinical Hospital MSWiA in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
  3. University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz, UHE Satellite Campus in Warsaw, Poland
  4. Center of Reproductive Health, Institute of Mother and Child, Warsaw, Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warsaw

open access

Vol 92, No 5 (2021)
REVIEW PAPERS Gynecology
Published online: 2021-04-23

Abstract

It is now more than a year since the first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was diagnosed in China. Current data suggest that pregnancy may not only be a risk factor for the development of severe forms of COVID-19, but that the SARS-CoV-2 infection may impact on common pregnancy complications as well. Healthy pregnant women are likely to be more susceptible to viral infection and therefore are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 because of adaptive changes in their immune and respiratory systems, their altered endothelial cell functions, and modified coagulation responses. However, studies show that most pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 developed mild-to-moderate symptoms and only a few of them have required critical care facilities. In contrast with preeclampsia, preeclampsia-like syndrome can resolve spontaneously following recovery from severe pneumonia and may not be an obstetric indication for delivery. Preeclampsia-like syndrome is one symptom of COVID-19, but its cause is different from obstetric preeclampsia and therefore not connected with placental failure. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection is rare but can probably occur. No evidence has been found that COVID-19 developed during pregnancy leads to unfavourable outcomes in the fetus. Most health authorities indicate that standard procedures should be used when managing pregnancy complications in asymptomatic women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant and lactating individuals who otherwise meet the vaccination criteria.

Abstract

It is now more than a year since the first case of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (COVID-19) was diagnosed in China. Current data suggest that pregnancy may not only be a risk factor for the development of severe forms of COVID-19, but that the SARS-CoV-2 infection may impact on common pregnancy complications as well. Healthy pregnant women are likely to be more susceptible to viral infection and therefore are at higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 because of adaptive changes in their immune and respiratory systems, their altered endothelial cell functions, and modified coagulation responses. However, studies show that most pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 developed mild-to-moderate symptoms and only a few of them have required critical care facilities. In contrast with preeclampsia, preeclampsia-like syndrome can resolve spontaneously following recovery from severe pneumonia and may not be an obstetric indication for delivery. Preeclampsia-like syndrome is one symptom of COVID-19, but its cause is different from obstetric preeclampsia and therefore not connected with placental failure. Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection is rare but can probably occur. No evidence has been found that COVID-19 developed during pregnancy leads to unfavourable outcomes in the fetus. Most health authorities indicate that standard procedures should be used when managing pregnancy complications in asymptomatic women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant and lactating individuals who otherwise meet the vaccination criteria.

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Keywords

COVID-19; pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; vaccination

About this article
Title

COVID-19 during pregnancy one year on — what lessons did we learn?

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 92, No 5 (2021)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

383-386

Published online

2021-04-23

Page views

1819

Article views/downloads

2310

DOI

10.5603/GP.a2021.0095

Pubmed

33914310

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2021;92(5):383-386.

Keywords

COVID-19
pregnancy
SARS-CoV-2
vaccination

Authors

Filip Nowakowski
Karolina Krajewska
Katarzyna Klimek
Waldemar Wierzba
Artur Jacek Jakimiuk

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