EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON PREGNANCY AND INFLUENCE OF PREGNANCY ON THE DISEASE

Abstract

COVID-19 has been considered a systemic disease caused by the new coronavirus, which raises concerns about the consequences for the health of the pregnant woman and the conceptus. Knowledge of the possible effects of the virus on pregnancy and how changes in the pregnant woman influence the course of the disease can lead to appropriate interventions for the correct management of suspected patients. The article reviews data published in the literature with the aim of identifying possible perinatal and obstetric complications due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, observing vertical transmission, and analyzing the impact of pregnancy on the clinical course of COVID-19. Anatomical and physiological changes in pregnant women, such as the elevation of the diaphragm and immunosuppression, make them more susceptible to infection. On the other hand, immunosuppression can be considered a positive factor in minimizing the worsening of the multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with the “cytokine storm”. Obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes increased the risk of disease severity in pregnant women. The main consequence observed for the newborn was prematurity. Evidence has shown the possibility of vertical transmission and also passive immunization of the foetus. Immunizing pregnant women with the vaccines currently on offer seems to be the main protective measure for mother and fetus.