Impact of COVID-۱۹ infection on placental histopathology and maternal-perinatal outcomes: A cross-sectional study

Background: Coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) presents a broad spectrum of clinical outcomes and, unlike other coronaviruses, poses significant risks during pregnancy. A primary concern is the potential for vertical transmission from mother to fetus, affecting both maternal and fetal health. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the placental histopathology and maternal-perinatal outcomes in mothers infected with COVID-۱۹. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ۴۰ pregnant women referred to Ganjavian hospital, Dezful, Iran for delivery from June to October ۲۰۲۱ were enrolled in ۲ groups: group I who were women with COVID-۱۹ on the day of delivery (n = ۳۰) and group II who were women without COVID-۱۹ (n = ۱۰). Placental tissue samples were collected post-delivery to assess histopathological changes and placental weight. Additionally, maternal and neonatal characteristics including maternal age, the number of prior deliveries and pregnancies, gestational age, ۱- and ۵-min Apgar scores, and maternal oxygen administration, mode of delivery, and neonatal COVID-۱۹ test results, were compared between the groups. Results: No significant differences were found between the groups regarding maternal age, gestational age, parity, Apgar scores, placental weight, oxygen therapy, or delivery method. However, group I showed significantly higher rates of placental abnormalities such as intravillous fetal thrombosis (p = ۰.۰۰۲), fibrin deposition, lymphocytic infiltration, chorangiosis, edema, intervillous hemorrhage, syncytial node formation, distal villous hypoplasia, and avascular villi (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: According to our study, the placental tissue of pregnant women who have been infected with COVID-۱۹ during their third trimester indicates tissue changes that can lead to poor exchanges between mother and fetus.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pathology ، Placenta ، Pregnancy ، Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus ۲ ، COVID-۱۹. ، آسیب شناسی ، جفت ، بارداری ، سندروم حاد تنفسی ، کووید ۲۰۱۹.