Prospective Analytical Case-Control Study of COVID-19 Positive Versus Negative Patients for Subclinical Placental Dysfunction

Background & objective: Placenta provides nutrition and protection from various infections and toxins to the baby while they are in the mother's womb. The present study was done to see the effects of coronavirus infection on the placenta of infected mothers and the final pregnancy outcome.

Methods: A total of 50 antenatal women (25 infected with coronavirus and 25 uninfected women) were enrolled and their placentae were examined for any significant histopathological changes. These changes were then correlated with the final pregnancy outcome.

Results: A significant number of placentae from infected mothers demonstrated features of maternal (54%) and fetal malperfusion (76%). However, no significant adverse pregnancy outcome was noted.

Conclusion: Increased rates of maternal malperfusion, and fetal malperfusion may be seen in placentae from infected women. However, these changes may not progress to any adverse fetal outcomes.