COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Quality Assessment of the Studies

Post-Graduate School of Pediatrics, Anna Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy

Division of Pediatric Immunology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence and Meyer Children’s Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy

Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Children’s Health, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy

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Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, Anna Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Pathogens 2020, 9(6), 485; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060485

Received: 10 May 2020 / Revised: 10 June 2020 / Accepted: 16 June 2020 / Published: 18 June 2020

(This article belongs to the Section Human Pathogens)

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Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in December 2019 and then spread globally. Little is still known about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and neonates. A review of the literature was performed according to the PRISMA guideline recommendations, searching the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Studies’ quality assessments were performed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. A total of 37 studies were included, involving 275 pregnant women with COVID-19 and 248 neonates. The majority of pregnant women presented with mild to moderate symptoms, only 10 were admitted in the ICU, and one died. Two stillbirths were reported and the incidence of prematurity was 28%. Sixteen neonates were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR, and nine of them were born from mothers infected during pregnancy. Neonatal outcomes were generally good: all the affected neonates recovered. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 yielded negative results on amniotic fluid, vaginal/cervical fluids, placenta tissue, and breast milk samples. SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women appeared associated with mild or moderate disease in most cases, with a low morbidity and mortality rate. The outcomes of neonates born from infected women were mainly favorable, although neonates at risk should be closely monitored. Further studies are needed to investigate the possibility of vertical transmission. View Full-Text

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pregnancy; neonates

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MDPI and ACS Style

Trippella, G.; Ciarcià, M.; Ferrari, M.; Buzzatti, C.; Maccora, I.; Azzari, C.; Dani, C.; Galli, L.; Chiappini, E. COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Quality Assessment of the Studies. Pathogens 2020, 9, 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060485

AMA Style

Trippella G, Ciarcià M, Ferrari M, Buzzatti C, Maccora I, Azzari C, Dani C, Galli L, Chiappini E. COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Quality Assessment of the Studies. Pathogens. 2020; 9(6):485. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060485

Chicago/Turabian Style

Trippella, Giulia, Martina Ciarcià, Marta Ferrari, Chiara Buzzatti, Ilaria Maccora, Chiara Azzari, Carlo Dani, Luisa Galli, and Elena Chiappini. 2020. "COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Quality Assessment of the Studies" Pathogens 9, no. 6: 485. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060485

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COVID-19 in Pregnant Women and Neonates: A Systematic Review of the Literature with Quality Assessment of the Studies

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