Placental calcifications after coronavirus disease 2019 in first trimester of pregnancy: ultrasound and pathology findings

Med Ultrason. 2023 Jun 26;25(2):233-235. doi: 10.11152/mu-3753. Epub 2022 Sep 19.

Abstract

The effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on placental tissue is unclear. We present a case of symptomatic first trimester SARS-CoV-2 infection in which longitudinal ultrasound images demonstrated diffuse areas of echogenic foci. Her 39-week delivery, following an elective induction of labor, was uncomplicated, and placental pathol-ogy evaluation noted extensive calcifications. Such findings are sometimes seen in late and post-term pregnancies and those complicated by smoking, hypertensive disorders, diabetes, and viral infections. In this case, no other potential etiology was identified. Thus, we conclude that placental calcifications may be associated with SAR-CoV-2 infection in early pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis* / complications
  • Calcinosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Placenta / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious* / pathology
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • SARS-CoV-2