Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Dec;39(12):2441-2445. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-03964-y. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Abstract

Viral infections are common complications of pregnancy, with a wide range of obstetric and neonatal sequelae. Currently, there are limited data on whether SARS-CoV-2 is vertically transmitted in pregnant women tested positive for the virus. Here we describe a case of a known SARS-CoV-2-positive woman giving preterm birth to two fetuses with SARS-CoV-2 positive testing in placental tissue and amniotic fluid. The placental histological examinations showed chronic intervillositis and extensive intervillous fibrin depositions with ischemic necrosis of the surrounding villi.

Keywords: Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2; Vertical transmission.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amniotic Fluid / virology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • COVID-19
  • Cesarean Section
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Diabetes, Gestational / diagnosis*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / pathology
  • Diabetes, Gestational / virology
  • Female
  • Fetal Death
  • Fetus
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Pandemics
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Placenta / virology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
  • Premature Birth / pathology
  • Premature Birth / virology*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Twins, Dizygotic