Impact of timing and severity of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy on intrauterine fetal growth- A registry-based study from Qatar

RATIONALE

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted pregnant women, increasing maternal and neonatal morbidity. The placenta is a potential target for the pathophysiological processes due to the increased thrombotic inflammatory activation and inadequate uteroplacental perfusion and oxygenation, potentially causing intrauterine growth restriction. The study has patients from the Q-PRECIOUS National COVID registry.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the impact of maternal COVID-19 infection on placental function measures as intrauterine fetal growth. Does the trimester of infection affect fetal growth? Does symptomatic disease affect fetal growth and fetal growth velocity?

RESULTS

Symptomatic disease:

Trimester of pregnancy:

No evidence of any impact on growth

CONCLUSION:

This study shows that the maternal  immune activation during COVID-19 can impact the placental circulation. This was regardless of the gestational age at which they were infected. Early symptomatic disease seems to have an impact on fetal growth velocity; however, larger studies are needed to corroborate these findings. The impact of maternal immune activation on the placenta on child neurodevelopment needs to studied