COVID Does Not Infect Fetal Fetal From Mother During Pregnancy: Research-Consumer Health News

Tuesday, December 22, 2020 (HealthDay News)-New study may reassure pregnant mothers: Pregnant women infected with COVID-19 late in pregnancy appear less likely to infect the foetation ..

The study was conducted between April and June 2020 in women who came to one of three hospitals in the Boston area for treatment or childbirth of COVID-19.

127 newborns of pregnant women, including 64 who had various levels of viral illness, did not test positive for the coronavirus.

“I think this is probably one of the more reassuring factors for patients. Even if they become infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy, it seems relatively unlikely that the foetation will be born with an active COVID-19 infection. “The study’s author, Dr. Andrea Edrow, an expert in maternal-fetal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, said.

Study participants who tested positive for COVID-19 included 36% of asymptomatic, 34% of mild illness, 11% of moderate illness, 16% of severe illness, and severe illness. 3% was included.

The study also included 63 pregnant women who were negative for the virus and 11 women of reproductive age who were not pregnant and were compared.

Researchers evaluated levels of virus in respiratory, blood, and placental tissue samples. They also examined the placental tissue, looking for maternal antibody development, how well those antibodies passed through the placenta and into the foetation.

They found detectable levels of virus in women’s saliva, nose, and throat secretions. They did not find the virus in the bloodstream or placenta.

In this study, no COVID-19-positive babies were born, but the risk is not zero, Edward warned. Other studies have shown that the range is very low, but she says it is much lower than other viruses such as Zika and cytomegalovirus.

Another important but less encouraging finding from this study was that mothers infected with COVID-19 made antibodies against the virus, but did not transfer them across the placenta as expected. That is.

Studies have found that levels of protective antibodies in cord blood are lower than expected, while researchers have probably found higher levels of influenza antibodies from maternal flu vaccinations.

Other viruses and vaccines tend to transmit antibodies at much higher levels, perhaps because of evolutionary reasons, because babies can’t develop their own antibodies until 6 months of age, Edrow said.

This study was published in the journal on December 22nd. JAMA network opened.

According to editorials accompanying the study, new discoveries could affect how the new COVID vaccine affects pregnancy.

“I don’t think this is definitive, but there are unanswered questions about whether maternal antibodies from COVID vaccination can help protect babies, such as those found in influenza vaccines,” he said. Co-author Dr. Dennis Jamison said. , Chairman of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.

Findings confirm the importance of ensuring that pregnant women are included in the study, as scientists need to better understand how drugs and vaccines work, especially in pregnant women. I emphasize it.

“I think it’s a really exciting time. I think we have a tool to end this pandemic. It will take a while. During that time, pregnant women need to be vigilant and protect themselves, but I am very I’m optimistic. I know that pregnant women can access these [COVID] Vaccine “.

When infected with COVID-19, children are generally mildly ill, but babies are at increased risk of severe illness. Pregnant women are also at increased risk of serious illness.

In previous studies, other viral infections and fever during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of certain neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring, such as autism, ADHD, anxiety, and depression, Edrow said. ..

Researchers hope to follow up with the women and their children in this study in future studies.

“Apart from birth defects, stillbirths, or births with COVID-19, there can be longer-term, subtle effects on neurodevelopmental development and other effects on organ programming,” Edrow said. Says. “There is a potentially more subtle impact, and it will probably take years to bring it out.”

For more information

World Health Organization provides additional information about COVID-19 and pregnancy.

Source: Andrea Edlow, MD, MSc, Assistant Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, and Maternal and Fetal Medicine Specialist, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Department, Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Dennis Jamison, MD, Chairman of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, and Chief of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. JAMA network open, December 22, 2020