Histopathology of Third Trimester Placenta from SARS-CoV-2-Positive Women

He, Mai; Skaria, Priya; Kreutz, Kasey; Chen, Ling; Hagemann, Ian; Carter, Ebony B.; Mysorekar, Indira U.; Nelson, D Michael; Pfeifer, John; PathologyImmunology, Louis P. Dehner Department of; Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of; Louis, St.; MO,; Statistics, USA Division of; ObstetricsGynecology, USA Department of; Louis, Washington University School of Medicine in St.; USA,

Background: This study aims to investigate whether maternal SARS-CoV-2 status affect placental pathology. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted by reviewing charts and slides of placentas between April 1 to July 24, 2020. Clinical history of COVID-19 were searched in Pathology Database (CoPath). Controls were matched with SARS-CoV-2-negative women with singleton deliveries in the 3rd-trimester. Individual and group, pathological features were extracted from placental pathology reports. Results: Twenty-one 3rd-trimester, placentas from SARS-CoV-2-positive women were identified and compared to 20 placentas from SARS-CoV-2-negative women. There were no significant differences in individual or group gross or microscopic pathological features between the groups. Within the SARS-CoV-2+ group, there are no differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Conclusion: Placentas from SARS-CoV-2-positive women do not demonstrate a specific pathological pattern. Pregnancy complicated with COVID-19 during the 3rd trimester does not have a demonstrable effect on placental structure and pathology.