Current State of Knowledge about Transplacental Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Document Type : Scientific Review

Authors

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2 Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

4 Stem Cell Biology Research Center, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

5 Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

6 Neonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

7 Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

8 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

9 Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedical Science, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Background: To date, some cases of perinatal transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) have been reported. However, it is unanswered if these occurred via the trans-placental or the trans-cervical route or through environmental exposure.
Methods: To address this question, we conducted this study to review the current state of knowledge about the transplacental transmission of COVID-19.
Results: There are no known placental findings associated with the COVID-19 infection. The possibility of intrauterine infection has been based mainly on the detection of IgM in the neonatal blood. Real time-PCR tests on amniotic fluid, placenta, and cord blood are required to ascertain the possibility of intrauterine vertical transmission.
Conclusion: There is currently no sufficient and convincing evidence about the transplacental transmission of SARS-COV-2 infection in pregnant mothers. However, the paucity of placental expression of ACE-2 involved in the cytoplasmic entry of SARS-CoV-2 may explain its relative insensitivity to transplacental infection.

Keywords

References

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World Journal of Peri and Neonatology
Volume 3, Issue 2
December 2020
Pages 50-55

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 April 2021
  • Accept Date: 25 April 2021
  • First Publish Date: 25 April 2021

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