Abstract
Since its emergence in Wuhan as a novel coronavirus disease, it has taken only a few months since January 2020 for it to be recognized as a widespread COVID-19 pandemic which has contributed to global health devastation. As pointed out by health experts, it is a once in a century pandemic of our times. Clinical observations so far indicate that the older population and immune compromised individuals, particularly in African American and Hispanic/Latino communities, are at much higher risk for infection with this novel coronavirus. In this regard, pregnancy offers an altered immunity scenario which may allow severe COVID-19 disease. The literature is so far highly conflicting on this issue. This review will offer a conceptual basis for severe or controlled disease and address trepidations for pregnant women associated with COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the comparative context of clinical consequences of other coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS. We will highlight the possible consequences of COVID-19 on the general health of pregnant women as well as its possible effects at the maternal-fetal interface. For the placenta-related pathology, we will focus our discussion on the temporal expression of ACE2 throughout gestation for possible propagation of SARS-CoV-2 in the placenta in infected women and ensuing consequences.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | e13317 |
Journal | American Journal of Reproductive Immunology |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2020 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- angiotensin-converting enzyme-related carboxypeptidase 2
- coronavirus disease
- extravillous trophoblasts
- middle east respiratory syndrome
- severe acute respiratory syndrome
- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-
- syncytiotrophoblasts
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynecology