A case study of the first pregnant woman with COVID-19 in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

Birindwa, Etienne Kajibwami; Mulumeoderhwa, Guy Mulinganya; Nyakio, Olivier; Mbale, Guy-Quesney Mateso; Mushamuka, Serge Zigabe; Materanya, Jeanne Maningo; Kahasha, Pierrot Mulumeoderhwa; Bisimwa, Yvette Kujirakwinja; Kampara, Freddy Mirindi; Irenge, Jules Mongane; Kibalama, Isaac Barhishindi; Luzadi, Pierre Kabuya; Malembaka, Espoir Bwenge; Mayeri, Daniel Garhalangwa-Na-Muntu; Baguma, Marius; Balaluka, Ghislain Bisimwa

INTRODUCTION: Vertical transmission of covid-19 is possible; its risk factors are worth researching. The placental changes found in pregnant women have a definite impact on the foetus. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 25-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2 (2 alive children), with a history of two caesarean deliveries, who was infected by the SARS-CoV-2 during the last term of her pregnancy. She gave birth by caesarean at 34 weeks of gestation to a newborn baby also infected with SARS-CoV-2. The peri-operative observations noted several eruptive lesions in the pelvis, bleeding on contact. Microscopic examination of the foetal appendages revealed thrombotic vasculopathy in the placenta and in the umbilical cord vessels. CONCLUSION: This case is one of the first documented cases of COVID-19 in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa. We strongly suggest obstetricians to carefully examine the aspect of the peritoneum, viscera and foetal appendages in affected pregnant women.