Pregnancy during COVID-19 pandemic – Maternal and neonatal outcomes: A concise review

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began as an epidemic in China and has spread rapidly in many other countries. Severe adverse pregnancy outcomes resulted from SARS and Middle-East respiratory syndrome. Although consequences of infection with SARS-COV-2 for pregnancies are uncertain at this time, the possibility of severe outcomes should be considered. The physiological maternal adaptations in pregnancy predisposed women to more severe pneumonia, resulting in higher maternal morbidity. There is a paucity of literature regarding the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, thus limiting both counseling and management of these patients. This literature review combines the studies from different geographical locations and focuses on whether SARS-CoV-2 infection is transmitted vertically from mothers to neonates and if there are adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes such as fetal distress, premature labor, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We also reviewed the guidelines regarding breastfeeding during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We have used PubMed utilizing search terms as COVID-19, pregnancy, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, and pregnancy outcomes. We found sixty studies that met our inclusion criteria, of which total ten studies were included in the review. Inclusion criteria are based on the studies which had pregnant women who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 and had information on vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Currently, there is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 undergoes intrauterine or transplacental transmission from infected pregnant women to their fetuses. Based on the current course of SARS-CoV-2 and its rampant growth, it is reasonable to expect that an enormous number of possible asymptomatic pregnant women will present for care. It is suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection is commonly asymptomatic and should be suspected in all pregnant patients in areas with predominant disease. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Medical knowledge, Patient care, Systems-based practice.