{"title":"In need of robust evidence of non-association of pregestational and early pregnancy SARS-CoV-2 infections with congenital anomalies.","authors":"Athina Samara, Vivienne Souter, Conrado Milani Coutinho, Asma Khalil","doi":"10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102729","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregestational and early pregnancy periods has an unclear impact on fetal development. Although vertical transmission is rare, potential effects on the developing fetal brain are plausible. However, robust evidence linking maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection to congenital anomalies is limited due to inadequate tracking of infection history and methodological flaws in published studies. This is further complicated by limitations, such as restricted testing access and undiagnosed infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Most data focus on hospitalized women near term, lacking information on first- and second-trimester infections. Thus, an accurate assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on congenital anomalies is essential. It should however be emphasised that we have robust evidence that vaccination against COVID-19 before or during early pregnancy is not associated with malformations, ruling out any role of COVID-19 vaccines in these increased rates of congenital abnormalities. This viewpoint discusses findings from surveillance registries, highlights study limitations, and offers research recommendations to inform clinical guidelines and public health strategies, aiming to mitigate the effects of viral infections on early neurodevelopment.</p>","PeriodicalId":11393,"journal":{"name":"EClinicalMedicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":9.6000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11301251/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"EClinicalMedicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102729","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/8/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregestational and early pregnancy periods has an unclear impact on fetal development. Although vertical transmission is rare, potential effects on the developing fetal brain are plausible. However, robust evidence linking maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection to congenital anomalies is limited due to inadequate tracking of infection history and methodological flaws in published studies. This is further complicated by limitations, such as restricted testing access and undiagnosed infections, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Most data focus on hospitalized women near term, lacking information on first- and second-trimester infections. Thus, an accurate assessment of the impact of COVID-19 on congenital anomalies is essential. It should however be emphasised that we have robust evidence that vaccination against COVID-19 before or during early pregnancy is not associated with malformations, ruling out any role of COVID-19 vaccines in these increased rates of congenital abnormalities. This viewpoint discusses findings from surveillance registries, highlights study limitations, and offers research recommendations to inform clinical guidelines and public health strategies, aiming to mitigate the effects of viral infections on early neurodevelopment.
期刊介绍:
eClinicalMedicine is a gold open-access clinical journal designed to support frontline health professionals in addressing the complex and rapid health transitions affecting societies globally. The journal aims to assist practitioners in overcoming healthcare challenges across diverse communities, spanning diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and health promotion. Integrating disciplines from various specialties and life stages, it seeks to enhance health systems as fundamental institutions within societies. With a forward-thinking approach, eClinicalMedicine aims to redefine the future of healthcare.