Fetus as a patient in pregnant women with COVID-19

Fraute, A. R.; Cabrera, C.; Faneite, P.; de Gracia, P. V.; Cuadra, C.

Introduction: Fetus and placenta are an immunologically privileged unit, whose physiological changes during pregnancy intervenes in the behavior against SARS-CoV- 2, describing a theoretical potential teratogenic damage due to receptors ACE-2 expression, necessary for SARS-CoV-2 intracellular transport in the epiblast, vital in organogenesis, as well as the current pharmacological therapy teratogenic effects, abortions, and fetal demise. Early Chinese reports pointed to the unlikely vertical transmission, however, the diagnostic test’s low sensibility with the serological detection in fetal and neonatal blood samples of IgM Anti- E SARS-CoV-2 and IL-6 caused great controversy. Purpose of the study: To resume current data about fetal risks (real or potential) from a viral agent, pharmacological therapy, or placental damage from a worldwide literature data review. M ethods: Articles in all languages about the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women and fetuses as a patient searched from LILACS, PUBMED, and Google Scholar from March 2020 to February 2021 were review. Conclusion: A year later, it is seen that the placental damage is maternal and fetal vascular bad perfusion, like preeclampsia and chorioamnionitis, endothelitis, thrombosis, and inflammation, reconsidering fetal surveillance in COVID-19 pregnant women. © 2021 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.