Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Journal of Reproduction & Infertility

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review of Pregnancy and the Possibility of Vertical Transmission

Authors
1 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Radiology, Medical Imaging Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 School of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Kazeroun branch, Kazeroun, Iran
4 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Thoracic and Vascular Surgery Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of infectious diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Tehran, Iran
6 Department of Biochemistry, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
7 Pars Advanced and Minimally Invasive Medical Manners Research Center, Pars Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
8 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Background: There is a growing need for information regarding maternal and neonatal outcomes during coronavirus pandemic. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was done regarding the possibility of vertical transmission using the available data in the literature. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Scholar. All studies containing infected COVID-19 pregnant women who had given birth were included, and the search was done up to April 14, 2020. Results: Overall, 21 jri_articles were reviewed, and clinical characteristics of 90 pregnant patients and 92 neonates born to mothers infected with COVID-19 were reviewed. The most common symptoms included fever, cough, and dyspnea. The main laboratory findings included leukocytosis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated C-reactive protein. The most commonly reported complications were preterm labor and fetal distress. Three mothers were admitted to ICU and required mechanical ventilation; among them, one died, and one was on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Overall, 86 neonates were tested for the possibility of vertical transmission and 82 cases were negative in RT-PCR, while 4 were positive. Out of 92 neonates, one died, and one was born dead. Nineteen patients reported having no symptoms, while breathing problems and pneumonia were reported as the most common neonatal complications. Conclusion: There were no differences in the clinical characteristics of pregnant women and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 infection has caused higher incidence of fetal distress and premature labor in pregnant women. Although the possibility of vertical transmission in infected pregnant women is rare, four neonates’ test results for COVID-19 infection were positive in this review.
Keywords

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