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Gigase FAJ, Jessel RH, Kaplowitz E, Boychuk N, Ohrn S, Ibroci E, Castro J, Lynch J, Tubassum R, Balbierz A, Molenaar NM, Graziani M, Missall R, Flores T, Stern T, Carreno JM, Krammer F, Adler A, Brody RI, Lesseur C, Chen J, Ellington S, Galang RR, Snead MC, Howell E, Stone J, Bergink V, Dolan S, Lieb W, Rommel AS, de Witte LD, Janevic T. SARS-CoV-2 infection, inflammation and birth outcomes in a prospective NYC pregnancy cohort. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104243. [PMID: 38522364 PMCID: PMC11144074 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Associations between antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and pregnancy outcomes have been conflicting and the role of the immune system is currently unclear. This prospective cohort study investigated the interaction of antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, changes in cytokine and HS-CRP levels, birthweight and gestational age at birth. 2352 pregnant participants from New York City (2020-2022) were included. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) were quantified in blood specimens obtained across pregnancy. Quantile and linear regression models were conducted to 1) assess the impact of antenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection, overall and by timing of detection of SARS-CoV-2 positivity (< 20 weeks versus ≥ 20 weeks), on birthweight and gestational age at delivery; 2) examine the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and maternal immune changes during pregnancy. All models were adjusted for maternal demographic and obstetric factors and pandemic timing. Birthweight models were additionally adjusted for gestational age at delivery and fetal sex. Immune marker models were also adjusted for gestational age at specimen collection and multiplex assay batch. 371 (15.8%) participants were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, of which 98 (26.4%) were infected at < 20 weeks gestation. Neither SARS-CoV-2 infection in general nor in early or late pregnancy was associated with lower birthweight nor earlier gestational age at delivery. Further, we did not observe cytokine or HS-CRP changes in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and thus found no evidence to support a potential association between immune dysregulation and the diversity in pregnancy outcomes following infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederieke A J Gigase
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Rebecca H Jessel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Elianna Kaplowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Boychuk
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Sophie Ohrn
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Erona Ibroci
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Juliana Castro
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jezelle Lynch
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Rushna Tubassum
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Amy Balbierz
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Nina M Molenaar
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mara Graziani
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Roy Missall
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Tammy Flores
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Toni Stern
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Juan Manuel Carreno
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alan Adler
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Rachel I Brody
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Corina Lesseur
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Sascha Ellington
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Romeo R Galang
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Margaret C Snead
- COVID-19 Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Howell
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joanne Stone
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Veerle Bergink
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Siobhan Dolan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Whitney Lieb
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Blavatnik Family Women's Health Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Anna-Sophie Rommel
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Lotje D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Teresa Janevic
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA; Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY, USA
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2
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Jung S, Liu EF, Goin DE, Rudolph KE, Mujahid MS, Dow WH, Ahern J. The COVID-19 Pandemic Period, SARS-CoV-2 Infection, and Perinatal Health. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2410696. [PMID: 38722632 PMCID: PMC11082682 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This cohort study assesses population-level associations of COVID-19 with birth parent and infant health, distinguishing the COVID-19 pandemic period from individual SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley Jung
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Emily F. Liu
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Dana E. Goin
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Kara E. Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Mahasin S. Mujahid
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - William H. Dow
- Division of Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
| | - Jennifer Ahern
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley
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3
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Mustafa SS, Huang J, Perrotta K, Chambers C, Namazy J. COVID-19 and Pregnancy: Interrelationships With Asthma and Allergy. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. IN PRACTICE 2023; 11:3597-3604. [PMID: 37604428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant individuals are at higher risk of complications from respiratory viruses such as coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). Altered lung function, vaccine hesitancy, and resistance to taking necessary medications because of a lack of safety data in pregnancy make this population especially vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19. Like many medical conditions, the treatment of allergic conditions, including asthma and allergic rhinitis, were affected during the pandemic, with decreased numbers of in-person visits and interruptions in medical treatment. There were initially no data to allow pregnant women with asthma know whether the condition put them at higher risk of complications from COVID-19. There are now increasing data for the efficacy and safety of vaccines for COVID-19 in at-risk populations, including pregnant women. Vaccine studies show no increased risk for spontaneous abortion, congenital anomalies, or pregnancy complications. Furthermore, infants of individuals vaccinated during pregnancy have been shown to obtain protective antibodies via the placenta, providing protection against COVID-19 after birth. Although overall risks are low, pregnant women who become infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk for maternal and pregnancy complications. Antiviral treatment is available for pregnant women with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19, with reassuring safety data to date. Dexamethasone is the mainstay of inpatient therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Shahzad Mustafa
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY; Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY.
| | | | - Kirstie Perrotta
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif
| | - Christina Chambers
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, Calif
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Cavalcante ANM, Almeida RLFD, Oliveira DN, Lima DM, Cavalcante CTDMB, Tavares LVDS, Almeida RP, Machado RPG, Araujo Júnior E, Cavalcante MB. Screening for coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery: an observational study. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20230084. [PMID: 37466595 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20230084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the impact of symptom-based screening on the prevalence and outcomes of neonatal coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women admitted for delivery. METHODS A retrospective observational study was conducted from June to August 2020 at Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. All pregnant women were screened for coronavirus disease 2019 based on symptoms. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or immunology assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were performed when a patient reported a symptom. All newborns of symptomatic patients were submitted for Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Newborns were divided into groups according to the Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction results to identify the relationship between maternal symptoms and neonatal coronavirus disease 2019. RESULTS A total of 55 (55/1,026, 5.4%) and 50 (50/1,026, 4.8%) pregnant women reported symptoms and had a positive confirmatory test, respectively. The most common symptom of coronavirus disease 2019 among the pregnant women with positive confirmatory test was cough (n=23, 46%). Seven newborns (7/50, 14%) of symptomatic mothers had positive Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Upon birth, no newborn had serious complications. CONCLUSION Universal screening of pregnant women admitted for delivery can reduce the perinatal transmission of coronavirus disease 2019. Symptom-based screening can be an alternative for regions with a low prevalence of the disease where a better allocation of financial resources is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Nery Melo Cavalcante
- Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Public Health Postgraduate Program - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Course - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
| | | | | | - Danielle Malta Lima
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Course - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Sciences Postgraduate Program - Fortaleza (CE) Brazil
| | - Candice Torres de Melo Bezerra Cavalcante
- Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Course - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
| | | | | | - Rosângela Pinheiro Gonçalves Machado
- Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Course - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
| | - Edward Araujo Júnior
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
- Universidade Municipal de São Caetano do Sul, Medical Course - São Paulo (SP), Brazil
| | - Marcelo Borges Cavalcante
- Gonzaga Mota of Messejana Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Neonatology - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
- Universidade de Fortaleza, Medical Course - Fortaleza (CE), Brazil
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5
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Alhumaidan LS, Alhabardi N, Aldharman SS, Alfuhaid AA, Alrasheed MA, Almotairi RS, Alhassun JA, Alrohait GA, Almutairi RF, Alsuwailem FS, Alharbi AM, Alrashidi LR. The Impact of COVID-19 on Preterm Birth Among Pregnant Women in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e40682. [PMID: 37485111 PMCID: PMC10357975 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women are regarded as a unique group due to the distinct immunological condition that pregnancy produces, which makes pregnant women more susceptible to respiratory infections like coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its consequences. During pregnancy, many viral infections have been recognized to increase the risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes such as preterm delivery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 infection on preterm birth in pregnant women in the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between December 2019 to October 2021. The target subjects were pregnant women with live singleton gestations who underwent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19 infection during their delivery hospitalization. Data gathered included patient demographic information, clinical characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Data were analyzed using R version 4.1.1 (R Core Team (2021); R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). RESULTS A total of 381 pregnant women were included. The median maternal age of women was 31.0 years (IQR: 27.0, 35.0) and the median BMI value was 30.5 kg/m2 (IQR: 26.9, 34.8). The most common comorbidities were diabetes (7.1%) and asthma (4.5%). A known history of preterm birth was prevalent among 2.9%. Of the participants, 13.6% had a prenatal COVID-19 infection, of whom 57.7% had their infections resolved. The prevalence of positive PCR testing was 13.6%. Preterm birth occurred in 46 women (12.1%, 95%CI 9.1-15.9). Preterm birth was significantly associated with having a maternal age of ≥35 years, having high frequencies of parity, and having a past history of preterm birth, as well as having a history of hypertension and diabetes. Preterm birth was not significantly associated with having a confirmed COVID-19 infection at delivery. CONCLUSION It was shown that preterm birth is evident among women with COVID-19 infection. Preterm birth is significantly associated with old age, multiparity, and a history of preterm delivery. Preterm birth is not significantly associated with having a confirmed COVID-19 infection at delivery. More research regarding infection-related adverse effects is advised and should be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama S Alhumaidan
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Nadiah Alhabardi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Sarah S Aldharman
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Athar A Alfuhaid
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternity and Children Hospital, Burydah, SAU
| | - May A Alrasheed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qassim Health Cluster, King Saud Hospital, Qassim, SAU
| | - Rana S Almotairi
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Joud A Alhassun
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Ghaida A Alrohait
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Reem F Almutairi
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Farah S Alsuwailem
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Aeshah M Alharbi
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
| | - Lana R Alrashidi
- College of Medicine, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU
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6
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Heeralall C, Ibrahim UH, Lazarus L, Gathiram P, Mackraj I. The effects of COVID-19 on placental morphology. Placenta 2023; 138:88-96. [PMID: 37235921 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The impact of the COVID-19 infection, caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), during the pandemic has been considerably more severe in pregnant women than non-pregnant women. Therefore, a review detailing the morphological alterations and physiological changes associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy and the effect that these changes have on the feto-placental unit is of high priority. This knowledge is crucial for these mothers, their babies and clinicians to ensure a healthy life post-pandemic. Hence, we review the placental morphological changes due to COVID-19 to enhance the general understanding of how pregnant mothers, their placentas and unborn children may have been affected by this pandemic. Based on current literature, we deduced that COVID-19 pregnancies were oxygen deficient, which could further result in other pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia and IUGR. Therefore, we present an up-to-date review of the COVID-19 pathophysiological implications on the placenta, covering the function of the placenta in COVID-19, the effects of this virus on the placenta, its functions and its link to other gestational complications. Furthermore, we highlight the possible effects of COVID-19 therapeutic interventions on pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Based on the literature, we strongly suggest that consistent surveillance for the mothers and infants from COVID-19 pregnancies be prioritised in the future. Though the pandemic is now in the past, its effects are long-term, necessitating the monitoring of clinical manifestations in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Heeralall
- Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - U H Ibrahim
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - L Lazarus
- Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - P Gathiram
- Discipline of Family Medicine, School of Public Health and Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - I Mackraj
- Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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7
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Ayesa-Arriola R, Castro Quintas Á, Ortiz-García de la Foz V, Miguel Corredera M, San Martín González N, Murillo-García N, Neergaard K, Fañanás Saura L, de las Cuevas-Terán I. Exploring the impact of COVID-19 on newborn neurodevelopment: a pilot study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2983. [PMID: 36805488 PMCID: PMC9941470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29680-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic can seize the opportunity to explore the hypothesis of prenatal exposure to viral infections increases the risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Advancing our knowledge in this regard would improve primary prevention of mental disorders in children. For this pilot study, six-week-old infants born to mothers exposed (n = 21) or unexposed (n = 21) to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were assessed in Santander-Cantabria (Spain) using the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). Groups comparisons were performed to explore the effects that infection and timing of exposure (in terms of the three trimesters of pregnancy). The infants' competencies and performances on the NBAS were generally similar in the exposed and unexposed to SARS-CoV-2 groups. The most significant difference found was a less optimally response to cuddliness (item on the state regulation domain) particularly in infants born to mothers exposed in the third trimester of pregnancy, and in pull-to-sit (item on the motor system domain). Although our interpretations must be careful, these preliminary results highlight the possible association between prenatal SARS-CoV-2 exposure and poorer development in motor skills and infant interactive behavior. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore these relationships and disentangle the biological mechanisms implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Ayesa-Arriola
- University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain. .,Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain. .,Mental Illnesses Research Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain.
| | - Águeda Castro Quintas
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain ,grid.469673.90000 0004 5901 7501Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Ortiz-García de la Foz
- grid.469673.90000 0004 5901 7501Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain ,grid.484299.a0000 0004 9288 8771Mental Illnesses Research Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Margarita Miguel Corredera
- grid.484299.a0000 0004 9288 8771Mental Illnesses Research Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Nerea San Martín González
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nancy Murillo-García
- grid.7821.c0000 0004 1770 272XUniversity of Cantabria, Santander, Spain ,grid.484299.a0000 0004 9288 8771Mental Illnesses Research Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Karl Neergaard
- grid.484299.a0000 0004 9288 8771Mental Illnesses Research Unit, Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute, IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Lourdes Fañanás Saura
- grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA), Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain ,grid.469673.90000 0004 5901 7501Centro Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel de las Cuevas-Terán
- grid.7821.c0000 0004 1770 272XUniversity of Cantabria, Santander, Spain ,grid.411325.00000 0001 0627 4262Neonatal Unit, Pediatric Service, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
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8
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Fernandes GM, Sasaki LMP, Jardim-Santos GP, Schulte HL, Motta F, da Silva ÂP, de Carvalho AO, Pereira YR, Alves CDO, de Araújo Júnior DA, Mendonça-Silva DL, Costa KN, de Castro MEC, Lauand L, Nery RDR, Tristão R, Kurizky PS, Nóbrega ODT, Espindola LS, de Castro LCG, Alpoim PN, Godoi LC, Dusse LMSA, Coelho-dos-Reis JGA, do Amaral LR, Gomes MDS, Bertarini PLL, Brito-de-Sousa JP, da Costa-Rocha IA, Campi-Azevedo AC, Peruhype-Magalhães V, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Zaconeta AM, Soares AADSM, Valim V, Gomes CM, de Albuquerque CP, Martins-Filho OA, da Mota LMH. Panoramic snapshot of serum soluble mediator interplay in pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19: an exploratory study. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1176898. [PMID: 37122732 PMCID: PMC10130456 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1176898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy can induce changes in the maternal immune response, with effects on pregnancy outcome and offspring. This is a cross-sectional observational study designed to characterize the immunological status of pregnant women with convalescent COVID-19 at distinct pregnancy trimesters. The study focused on providing a clear snapshot of the interplay among serum soluble mediators. Methods A sample of 141 pregnant women from all prenatal periods (1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters) comprised patients with convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection at 3-20 weeks after symptoms onset (COVID, n=89) and a control group of pre-pandemic non-infected pregnant women (HC, n=52). Chemokine, pro-inflammatory/regulatory cytokine and growth factor levels were quantified by a high-throughput microbeads array. Results In the HC group, most serum soluble mediators progressively decreased towards the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, while higher chemokine, cytokine and growth factor levels were observed in the COVID patient group. Serum soluble mediator signatures and heatmap analysis pointed out that the major increase observed in the COVID group related to pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ and IL-17). A larger set of biomarkers displayed an increased COVID/HC ratio towards the 2nd (3x increase) and the 3rd (3x to 15x increase) trimesters. Integrative network analysis demonstrated that HC pregnancy evolves with decreasing connectivity between pairs of serum soluble mediators towards the 3rd trimester. Although the COVID group exhibited a similar profile, the number of connections was remarkably lower throughout the pregnancy. Meanwhile, IL-1Ra, IL-10 and GM-CSF presented a preserved number of correlations (≥5 strong correlations in HC and COVID), IL-17, FGF-basic and VEGF lost connectivity throughout the pregnancy. IL-6 and CXCL8 were included in a set of acquired attributes, named COVID-selective (≥5 strong correlations in COVID and <5 in HC) observed at the 3rd pregnancy trimester. Discussion and conclusion From an overall perspective, a pronounced increase in serum levels of soluble mediators with decreased network interplay between them demonstrated an imbalanced immune response in convalescent COVID-19 infection during pregnancy that may contribute to the management of, or indeed recovery from, late complications in the post-symptomatic phase of the SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraldo Magela Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Geraldo Magela Fernandes, ; Olindo Assis Martins-Filho,
| | - Lizandra Moura Paravidine Sasaki
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Heidi Luise Schulte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Felipe Motta
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Eduarda Canellas de Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Lucas Lauand
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Rosana Tristão
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Patricia Shu Kurizky
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Laila Salmen Espindola
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Luiz Cláudio Gonçalves de Castro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | | | - Lara Carvalho Godoi
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | | | | - Laurence Rodrigues do Amaral
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Brazil
| | - Matheus de Souza Gomes
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Brazil
| | - Pedro Luiz Lima Bertarini
- Laboratório de Bioinformática e Análises Moleculares, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Patos de Minas, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexandre Anderson de Sousa Munhoz Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Valéria Valim
- Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio Moraes, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (HUCAM-UFES), Vitória, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva (PPGSC), Centro de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Ciro Martins Gomes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Cleandro Pires de Albuquerque
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
| | - Olindo Assis Martins-Filho
- Instituto René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ-Minas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Geraldo Magela Fernandes, ; Olindo Assis Martins-Filho,
| | - Licia Maria Henrique da Mota
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário de Brasília, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia Molecular, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Brazil
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The Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Maternal and Fetal Wellbeing in New Mexico. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112856. [PMID: 36428914 PMCID: PMC9689040 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to affect the vasculature, including placental changes. Insults to the placenta, especially in the first and second trimester, can affect placental functionality with a resultant impact on fetal growth and wellbeing. Thus, we explored the relationship between antenatally acquired maternal COVID-19 infection and neonatal birth characteristics. A retrospective chart review was completed using the University of New Mexico electronic medical record system. ICD-10 codes were used to identify individuals that had a positive pregnancy test and positive COVID-19 screening test between 1 March 2020 to 24 March 2021. Chi-square and nonparametric Wilcoxon analyses were used, with p < 0.05 considered significant. A total of 487 dyad charts was analyzed, with 76 (16%) individuals identified as being COVID-19-positive (CovPos) during pregnancy. CovPos mothers were significantly more likely to deliver via a cesarean section compared to CovNeg mothers (33% vs. 20%, p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in gestational age at delivery, with infants born to CovPos individuals born at an earlier gestational age than those born to CovNeg individuals (37.6 vs. 38.5 weeks; p < 0.01). Our findings showed differences in maternal and infant characteristics following COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. Additional investigations are required to further delineate these relationships with a focus on potential long-term impacts on the neonate.
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10
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Sánchez-García JC, Carrascosa Moreno NP, Tovar-Gálvez MI, Cortés-Martín J, Liñán-González A, Alvarado Olmedo L, Rodríguez-Blanque R. COVID-19 in Pregnant Women, Maternal-Fetal Involvement, and Vertical Mother-to-Child Transmission: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102554. [PMID: 36289816 PMCID: PMC9599127 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women are included in the COVID-19 risk groups even if they do not have any pathology. This requires an analysis of research focused on pregnant women to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on their condition. There is also a need to know whether there is vertical mother-to-child transmission, as well as other consequences in case the pregnant woman is infected and COVID-19 positive. A systematic review was carried out to analyze the existing information on the complications of a pregnant woman infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the possibility of vertical transmission from mother to child, registered in the PROSPERO website and searched in the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library databases. Finally, 22 articles were included in the review. The review suggests that vertical transmission from mother to child could be exceptionally possible at the time of delivery or breastfeeding, but not through the placenta. It is interesting to point out the good acceptance of vaccination by pregnant women, which may be the reason for the low infectivity. Further research on pregnant women should be carried out to provide evidence on vertical mother-to-child transmission and the role of breast milk in relation to SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Sánchez-García
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | | | - María Isabel Tovar-Gálvez
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences in Ceuta, University of Granada, 51001 Ceuta, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Jonathan Cortés-Martín
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Antonio Liñán-González
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences in Melilla, University of Granada, Melilla Campus, 52005 Melilla, Spain
| | - Leticia Alvarado Olmedo
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences in Ceuta, University of Granada, 51001 Ceuta, Spain
| | - Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque
- Research Group CTS1068, Andalusia Research Plan, Junta de Andalucía, 41006 Sevilla, Spain
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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11
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Shnayder NA, Khasanova AK, Strelnik AI, Al-Zamil M, Otmakhov AP, Neznanov NG, Shipulin GA, Petrova MM, Garganeeva NP, Nasyrova RF. Cytokine Imbalance as a Biomarker of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911324. [PMID: 36232626 PMCID: PMC9570417 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is an important and unresolved problem in biological and clinical psychiatry. Approximately 30% of cases of schizophrenia (Sch) are TRS, which may be due to the fact that some patients with TRS may suffer from pathogenetically “non-dopamine” Sch, in the development of which neuroinflammation is supposed to play an important role. The purpose of this narrative review is an attempt to summarize the data characterizing the patterns of production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during the development of therapeutic resistance to APs and their pathogenetic and prognostic significance of cytokine imbalance as TRS biomarkers. This narrative review demonstrates that the problem of evaluating the contribution of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to maintaining or changing the cytokine balance can become a new key in unlocking the mystery of “non-dopamine” Sch and developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of TRS and psychosis in the setting of acute and chronic neuroinflammation. In addition, the inconsistency of the results of previous studies on the role of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines indicates that the TRS biomarker, most likely, is not the serum level of one or more cytokines, but the cytokine balance. We have confirmed the hypothesis that cytokine imbalance is one of the most important TRS biomarkers. This hypothesis is partially supported by the variable response to immunomodulators in patients with TRS, which were prescribed without taking into account the cytokine balance of the relation between serum levels of the most important pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines for TRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A. Shnayder
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Shared Core Facilities “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.A.S.); (R.F.N.); Tel.: +7-(812)-620-02-20-78-13 (N.A.S. & R.F.N.)
| | - Aiperi K. Khasanova
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna I. Strelnik
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, 443016 Samara, Russia
- Department of Psychiatry, Narcology and Psychotherapy, Samara State Medical University, 443016 Samara, Russia
| | - Mustafa Al-Zamil
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Continuing Medical Education, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey P. Otmakhov
- Basic Department of Psychological and Social Support, St. Petersburg State Institute of Psychology and Social Work, 199178 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- St. Nikolay Psychiatric Hospital, 190121 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolay G. Neznanov
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - German A. Shipulin
- Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks Management, 119121 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina M. Petrova
- Shared Core Facilities “Molecular and Cell Technologies”, V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky Krasnoyarsk State Medical University, 660022 Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | - Natalia P. Garganeeva
- Department of General Medical Practice and Outpatient Therapy, Siberian State Medical University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
| | - Regina F. Nasyrova
- Institute of Personalized Psychiatry and Neurology, Shared Core Facilities, V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, 443016 Samara, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.A.S.); (R.F.N.); Tel.: +7-(812)-620-02-20-78-13 (N.A.S. & R.F.N.)
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12
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SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and Reproduction: Effects on Fertility, Pregnancy, and Neonatal Life. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081775. [PMID: 35892675 PMCID: PMC9331824 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its discovery in Wuhan, China, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread over the world, having a huge impact on people’s lives and health. The respiratory system is often targeted in people with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The virus can also infect many organs and tissues in the body, including the reproductive system. The consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 infection on fertility and pregnancy in hosts are poorly documented. Available data on other coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) coronaviruses, identified pregnant women as a vulnerable group with increased pregnancy-related complications. COVID-19 was also shown to impact pregnancy, which can be seen in either the mother or the fetus. Pregnant women more likely require COVID-19 intensive care treatment than non-pregnant women, and they are susceptible to giving birth prematurely and having their newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key player of the ubiquitous renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is the principal host cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. ACE2 is involved in the regulation of both male and female reproductive systems, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated RAS dysfunction could affect reproduction. Herein, we review the current knowledge about COVID-19 consequences on male and female fertility, pregnant women, and their fetuses. Furthermore, we describe the effects of COVID-19 vaccination on reproduction.
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13
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Liu CH, Koire A, Erdei C, Mittal L. Subjective social status, COVID-19 health worries, and mental health symptoms in perinatal women. SSM Popul Health 2022; 18:101116. [PMID: 35582494 PMCID: PMC9098429 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnant women and those who have recently given birth are considered an at-risk population during the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the impact of both general stress and pandemic-related stressors. The extent to which subjective social status (SSS), one's perception of relative standing compared to others in a social hierarchy, might mitigate the effects of COVID-19-related health worries on mental health has not yet been reported, despite SSS often outperforming socioeconomic status as a predictor of various health outcomes including depression. This cross-sectional survey study tested the moderating effect of SSS on association between COVID-19- related health worries and mental health symptoms (depressive and generalized anxiety) among a sample of 1,637 perinatal women from the United States who took part in the Perinatal Experiences and COVID-19 Effects (PEACE) Study between May 2020 and June 2021. We found that high subjective social status was protective against depressive symptoms when self-reported COVID-19-related worry was low. When COVID-19-related worry was high, subjective social status was no longer influential. Higher levels of COVID-19-related health worries were associated with more anxiety symptoms, and higher subjective social status did not moderate anxiety symptomatology at either level of COVID-19-related worry. Although higher SSS has historically been protective against mental health decline, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic it may not be sufficiently protective against anxiety, or against depression for those who experience high levels of worry regarding the effects of COVID-19 on health. We assessed perinatal women for mental health symptoms and subjective social status. High subjective social status protected against depression when COVID worry was low. When COVID worry was high, subjective social status didn't protect against depression. COVID-19-related health worries were associated with more anxiety symptoms. High subjective social status was not protective against anxiety symptoms.
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14
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Shook LL, Sullivan EL, Lo JO, Perlis RH, Edlow AG. COVID-19 in pregnancy: implications for fetal brain development. Trends Mol Med 2022; 28:319-330. [PMID: 35277325 PMCID: PMC8841149 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection during pregnancy on the developing fetal brain is poorly understood. Other antenatal infections such as influenza have been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. Although vertical transmission has been rarely observed in SARS-CoV-2 to date, given the potential for profound maternal immune activation (MIA), impact on the developing fetal brain is likely. Here we review evidence that SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections during pregnancy can result in maternal, placental, and fetal immune activation, and ultimately in offspring neurodevelopmental morbidity. Finally, we highlight the need for cellular models of fetal brain development to better understand potential short- and long-term impacts of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on the next generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia L Shook
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Jamie O Lo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA; Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
| | - Roy H Perlis
- Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea G Edlow
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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15
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COVID 19 in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorder: The four-fold levels of prevention. Asian J Psychiatr 2022; 70:103046. [PMID: 35219981 PMCID: PMC8860749 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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16
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Differential effects of early or late exposure to prenatal maternal immune activation on mouse embryonic neurodevelopment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2114545119. [PMID: 35286203 PMCID: PMC8944668 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2114545119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to maternal infection increases the risk of developing mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder. Exposure to maternal immune activation has been associated with a number of neuroanatomical deficits in adolescent and adult offspring, with differing effects based on the gestational timing of infection. However, little is known about how the embryo brain is affected. We show, using whole-brain MRI, that maternal immune activation significantly affects brain anatomy. When the exposure occurs early in pregnancy, volume reductions are mainly observed, while the opposite is true for exposure later in pregnancy. Furthermore, we identify alterations to the density of certain classes of neurons and glia, which have been associated with stress and inflammation in the brain. Exposure to maternal immune activation (MIA) in utero is a risk factor for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. MIA-induced deficits in adolescent and adult offspring have been well characterized; however, less is known about the effects of MIA exposure on embryo development. To address this gap, we performed high-resolution ex vivo MRI to investigate the effects of early (gestational day [GD]9) and late (GD17) MIA exposure on embryo (GD18) brain structure. We identify striking neuroanatomical changes in the embryo brain, particularly in the late-exposed offspring. We further examined the putative neuroanatomical underpinnings of MIA timing in the hippocampus using electron microscopy and identified differential effects due to MIA timing. An increase in apoptotic cell density was observed in the GD9-exposed offspring, while an increase in the density of neurons and glia with ultrastructural features reflective of increased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress was observed in GD17-exposed offspring, particularly in females. Overall, our findings integrate imaging techniques across different scales to identify differential impact of MIA timing on the earliest stages of neurodevelopment.
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Manciulli T, Modi G, Campolmi I, Borchi B, Trotta M, Spinicci M, Lagi F, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Treatment with anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies in pregnant and postpartum women: first experiences in Florence, Italy. Infection 2022; 50:1139-1145. [PMID: 35257291 PMCID: PMC8900641 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01777-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Pregnant and postpartum women are at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are now widely used in high-income countries to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 outpatients at risk for developing severe disease. Very few data are available on the use of mAbs in special populations, including pregnant and postpartum women. Here we present our early experience with mAbs in these two populations. Methods Electronic records of pregnant and postpartum women treated with mAbs at Careggi University Hospital, Florence, were retrieved. Relevant data were extracted (age, presence of risk factors for COVID-19, oxygen support, mAb type, gestational age, and pregnancy status). When available, outcomes at 28 days after administration were also included. Results From March 1st to September 30th 2021, eight pregnant and two postpartum women have been treated with mAbs at our center. The median age was 31 years (IQR 30–33.5, range 29–38), median gestational age was 24 weeks. Seven patients had additional risk factors. According to the Italian disposition, all patients received casirivimab/imdevimab, with five receiving a 2.4 mg dose and five receiving a 8 g dose. Eight patients improved. One developed myocarditis, considered a COVID-19 complication. Another required a transient increase of low flow oxygen support before improving and being discharged. At a 28 days follow-up, all patients were clinically recovered. We did not observe mAbs related adverse events. Conclusion Although preliminary data should be interpreted with caution, it is remarkable how mAbs were well tolerated by pregnant women with COVID-19. Further data on mAbs in this special population should be collected but the use of mAbs in pregnant and postpartum patients should be considered. Even thus oral antivirals are becoming available, they are not recommended in pregnant and postpartum women. This population may specifically benefit from treatment with last generation mAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Manciulli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy
| | - Giulia Modi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy
| | - Irene Campolmi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Borchi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Trotta
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Filippo Lagi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, Largo Giovanni Alessandro Brambilla, 3, 50134, Florence, FI, Italy.
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
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18
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Butler M, Cross B, Hafeez D, Lim MF, Morrin H, Rengasamy ER, Pollak T, Nicholson TR. Emerging Knowledge of the Neurobiology of COVID-19. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2022; 45:29-43. [PMID: 35219440 PMCID: PMC8580843 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many patients with COVID-19 will experience acute or longer-term neuropsychiatric complications. The neurobiological mechanisms behind these are beginning to emerge; however, the neurotropic hypothesis is not strongly supported by clinical data. The inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 is likely to be responsible for delirium and other common acute neuropsychiatric manifestations. Vascular abnormalities such as endotheliopathies contribute to stroke and cerebral microbleeds, with their attendant neuropsychiatric sequelae. Longer-term neuropsychiatric syndromes fall into 2 broad categories: neuropsychiatric deficits occurring after severe (hospitalized) COVID-19 and "long COVID," which occurs in many patients with a milder acute COVID-19 illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Butler
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF London.
| | - Benjamin Cross
- East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, Casterton Ave, Burnley, BB10 2PQ
| | - Danish Hafeez
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mao Fong Lim
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Rd, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Hamilton Morrin
- Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Tonbridge Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ, UK
| | - Emma Rachel Rengasamy
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Ynysmeurig House, Navigation Park, Abercynon, CF45 4SN, UK
| | - Tom Pollak
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF London
| | - Timothy R. Nicholson
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF London
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19
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Kara B. Could Maternal COVID-19 Disease be a Risk Factor for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in the Child? Turk Arch Pediatr 2022; 56:542-544. [PMID: 35110050 PMCID: PMC8849317 DOI: 10.5152/turkarchpediatr.2021.21041021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bülent Kara
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey
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20
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Durnaoglu S, Lee SK, Ahnn J. Syncytin, envelope protein of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV): no longer 'fossil' in human genome. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2022; 25:358-368. [PMID: 35059135 PMCID: PMC8765258 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2021.2019109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are 'fossil viruses' that resulted from stable integrations of exogenous retroviruses throughout evolution. HERVs are defective and do not produce infectious viral particles. However, some HERVs retain a limited coding capacity and produce retroviral transcripts and proteins, which function in human developmental process and various pathologies, including many cancers and neurological diseases. Recently, it has been reported that HERVs are differently expressed in COVID-19 disease caused by infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this review, we discuss the molecular structure and function of HERV ENV proteins, particularly syncytins, and their conventional roles in human development and diseases, and potential involvement in COVID-19 regarding the newly reported mental symptoms. We also address COVID-19 vaccine-related infertility concerns arising from the similarity of syncytin with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, which have been proved invalid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serpen Durnaoglu
- College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Kyung Lee
- College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohong Ahnn
- College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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21
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Matute JD, Finander B, Pepin D, Ai X, Smith NP, Li JZ, Edlow AG, Villani AC, Lerou PH, Kalish BT. Single-cell immunophenotyping of the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in late gestation. Pediatr Res 2022; 91:1090-1098. [PMID: 34750520 PMCID: PMC8573077 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-021-01793-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of pregnant women have been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal and childhood well-being need to be characterized. We aimed to characterize the fetal immune response to maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor sequencing on cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) from newborns of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the third trimester (cases) or without SARS-CoV-2 infection (controls). RESULTS We identified widespread gene expression changes in CBMCs from cases, including upregulation of interferon-stimulated genes and major histocompatibility complex genes in CD14+ monocytes, transcriptional changes suggestive of activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and activation and exhaustion of natural killer cells. Lastly, we observed fetal T cell clonal expansion in cases compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS As none of the infants were infected with SARS-CoV-2, our results suggest that maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission. IMPACT The implications of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the absence of vertical transmission on fetal and childhood well-being are poorly understood. Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection might modulate the fetal immune system in the absence of vertical transmission. This study raises important questions about the untoward effects of maternal SARS-CoV-2 on the fetus, even in the absence of vertical transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan D. Matute
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Division of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA USA
| | - Benjamin Finander
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - David Pepin
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Department of Pediatric Surgery, MGH, Boston, MA USA
| | - Xingbin Ai
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Division of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA USA
| | - Neal P. Smith
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Department of Medicine, MGH, Boston, MA USA
| | - Jonathan Z. Li
- grid.62560.370000 0004 0378 8294Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Andrea G. Edlow
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MGH, Boston, MA USA
| | | | - Paul H. Lerou
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Division of Neonatology and Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, MA USA
| | - Brian T. Kalish
- grid.2515.30000 0004 0378 8438Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.42327.300000 0004 0473 9646Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
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22
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Leik NKO, Ahmedy F, Guad RM, Baharuddin DMP. Covid-19 vaccine and its consequences in pregnancy: Brief review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 72:103103. [PMID: 34845421 PMCID: PMC8609745 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is linked to a higher incidence of severe Covid-19. It's critical to find safe vaccinations that elicit protective pregnant and fetal immune responses. This review summarises the rate of COVID-19 infection, maternal antibodies responsiveness, placenta antibody transmission, and adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy studied in epidemiological studies evaluating mRNA vaccines. Potential COVID-19 infection in pregnant women can be prevented using mRNA-based vaccinations. Gestation, childbirth, and perinatal mortality were proven unaffected by COVID-19 vaccination. Injection-site discomfort, tiredness, and migraine are the most prevalent side effects, but these are temporary. After the first dosage of vaccinations, fast antibody responses were demonstrated. The adaptive immunity is found to be more significant after booster vaccination, and is linked to improved placental antigen transmission. Two vaccination doses are associated with more robust maternal and fetal antibody levels. Longer delays between the first immunization dosage and birth are linked to greater fetal IgG antibody levels with reduction in antigen transmission proportion. The mRNA vacciness are effective in reducing the severity of COVID-19 infection and these vaccinations are regarded to be safe options for pregnant women and their unborn fetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nang Kham Oo Leik
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Fatimah Ahmedy
- Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Rhanye Mac Guad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Dg Marshitah Pg Baharuddin
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
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23
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Meyyazhagan A, Pushparaj K, Balasubramanian B, Kuchi Bhotla H, Pappusamy M, Arumugam VA, Easwaran M, Pottail L, Mani P, Tsibizova V, Di Renzo GC. COVID-19 in pregnant women and children: Insights on clinical manifestations, complexities, and pathogenesis. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 156:216-224. [PMID: 34735717 PMCID: PMC9087615 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy changes the body's immune system to counteract the spectrum of infections, including COVID-19, which can pose complications. Pregnant women are less likely to contract COVID-19 infections than the general public. However, pregnant women are at slightly increased risk of becoming severely unwell if they do catch COVID-19, and congenital conditions in pregnant women may worsen the state of infection and lead to critical stages and even mortality. The possibility of vertical transmission has been reported in only a few cases of COVID-19; however, it was not noted in cases of SARS and MERS. Vaccination coverage in pregnant women remains a challenge. Children are the next suspected and vulnerable population to acquire infection after the first and second waves. Children are disproportionately infected compared with older populations, but the severity of infection is less compared to adults. This review highlights the complexities of COVID-19 in pregnant women and the underlying reasons why children tend to be comparatively less severely affected. Ethnicity, nutrition, lifestyle, and therapeutics influence the severity of infection in children. Low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, indigenous virus competence, and maternal immunity is the first-line defense for children against COVID-19. Habituating herbal medicines from childhood may help support a robust and defensive immune system to counteract novel antigens and encourage healthy generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Meyyazhagan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Karthika Pushparaj
- Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Haripriya Kuchi Bhotla
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Manikantan Pappusamy
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Vijaya Anand Arumugam
- Medical Genetics and Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Murugesh Easwaran
- Nutritional Improvement of Crops, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, India
| | - Lalitha Pottail
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Computational Sciences, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Poonkothai Mani
- Department of Zoology, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Valentina Tsibizova
- Institute of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Gian Carlo Di Renzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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24
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Lins B. Maternal immune activation as a risk factor for psychiatric illness in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 16:100297. [PMID: 34308388 PMCID: PMC8279925 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammation, due to infectious pathogens or other non-infectious stimuli, during pregnancy is associated with elevated risk for neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism in the offspring. Although historically identified through retrospective epidemiologic studies, the relationship between maternal immune activation and offspring neurodevelopmental disease risk is now well established because of clinical studies which utilized prospective birth cohorts, serologically confirmed infection records, and subsequent long-term offspring follow-up. These efforts have been corroborated by preclinical research which demonstrates anatomical, biochemical, and behavioural alterations that resemble the clinical features of psychiatric illnesses. Intervention studies further demonstrate causal roles of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, in these long-lasting changes in behaviour and brain. This review summarizes a selection of maternal immune activation literature that explores the relationship between these inflammatory mediators and the neuropsychiatric-like effects later observed in the offspring. This literature is presented alongside emerging information regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy, with discussion of how these data may inform future research regarding the effects of the present coronavirus pandemic on emerging birth cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney Lins
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia.
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25
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Bahrami R, Schwartz DA, Karimi-Zarchi M, Javaheri A, Dastgheib SA, Ferdosian F, Noorishadkam M, Mirjalili SR, Neamatzadeh H. Meta-analysis of the frequency of intrauterine growth restriction and preterm premature rupture of the membranes in pregnant women with COVID-19. Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 18:236-244. [PMID: 34580931 PMCID: PMC8480208 DOI: 10.4274/tjod.galenos.2021.74829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in pregnancy has yet to be determined. Some studies indicate that SARSCoV- 2 infection may be associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant women. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the frequency of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) in pregnant women with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). A comprehensive search was performed in various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, MedRxiv, and Web of Science, to find all relevant studies published before 10 February 2021. Cross-sectional and consecutive case series reporting the pregnancy outcomes of COVID-19 were included. A total of 24 studies, including 8 studies on IUGR and 16 studies on PPROM, were selected. Pooled data showed that the frequencies of IUGR and PPROM in pregnant women with COVID-19 were 2.6% and 9.9%, respectively. Analyses stratified by ethnicity showed that the frequencies of IUGR in Asian and Caucasian COVID-19-infected pregnant women were 2.9% and 2.0%, respectively. Moreover, the frequencies of PPROM in Asian and Caucasian COVID-19-infected pregnant women were 10.2% and 5.8%, respectively. This meta-analysis showed that the frequencies of IUGR and PPROM in COVID-19-infected pregnant women were 2.6% and 9.9%, respectively. However, well-designed, large-scale and multicenter clinical studies are required to improve and validate these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Bahrami
- Neonatal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - David A. Schwartz
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Mojgan Karimi-Zarchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atiyeh Javaheri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Seyed Alireza Dastgheib
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farzad Ferdosian
- Children Growth Disorder Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahmood Noorishadkam
- Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Mirjalili
- Mother and Newborn Health Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Hossein Neamatzadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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26
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Rathberger K, Häusler S, Wellmann S, Weigl M, Langhammer F, Bazzano MV, Ambrosch A, Fill Malfertheiner S. SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy and possible transfer of immunity: assessment of peripartal maternal and neonatal antibody levels and a longitudinal follow-up. J Perinat Med 2021; 49:702-708. [PMID: 34116588 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the current Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic there is still great uncertainty about the effects of an infection in pregnancy especially regarding a possible fetal transmission of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and the longevity of this immunity. METHODS Sixteen women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and their offspring were included. The antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 was measured in mother and umbilical cord blood peripartum and in a follow-up examination 6-11 weeks after birth. Medical history, symptoms regarding SARS-CoV-2, obstetric and neonatal information were queried following recommendations by the WHO. RESULTS A total of 73% of the women and one third of the infants developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein receptor binding domain (RBD), with a long interval between infection and birth proving favorable for a transplacentar transfer of antibodies to the neonates. All infants showed declining or vanishing antibody-titers in the follow-up examination, while the titers of their mothers were stable or even increased. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies is possible, but also indicate that the immunity that may be gained as a result might decrease in newborns postpartum. This provides important evidence that could be useful for further studies covering vaccination during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Rathberger
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Häusler
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Wellmann
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marco Weigl
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Langhammer
- Department of Neonatology, University Children's Hospital Regensburg (KUNO) at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Victoria Bazzano
- Laboratory of Translational Perinatology, University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ambrosch
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Microbiology and Hygiene, Hospital of the Order of St. John, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sara Fill Malfertheiner
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- WECARE Research and Development Campus Regensburg at the Hospital St. Hedwig of the Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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27
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ACE2 Is Expressed in Immune Cells That Infiltrate the Placenta in Infection-Associated Preterm Birth. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071724. [PMID: 34359894 PMCID: PMC8303980 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is associated with increased incidence of preterm birth (PTB). We assessed pathways by which SARS-CoV-2 could access the placenta. Placentae, from PTB with or without chorioamnionitis (ChA), or from term pregnancies (n = 12/13/group) were collected. Peripheral blood was collected from healthy pregnant women (n = 6). Second trimester placental explants (16–20 weeks, n = 5/group) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, to mimic bacterial infection) and ACE2, CCL2, IL-6/8 and TNFα mRNA was assessed. ChA-placentae exhibited increased ACE2 and CCL2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). LPS increased cytokine and ACE2 mRNA in placental explants. Placental ACE2 protein localized to syncytiotrophoblast, fetal endothelium, extravillous trophoblast and in immune cells-subsets (M1/M2 macrophage and neutrophils) within the villous stroma. Significantly increased numbers of M1 macrophage and neutrophils were present in the ChA-placenta (p < 0.001). Subsets of peripheral immune cells from pregnant women express the ACE2 mRNA and protein. A greater fraction of granulocytes was positive for ACE2 protein expression compared to lymphocytes or monocytes. These data suggest that in pregnancies complicated by ChA, ACE2 positive immune cells in the maternal circulation have the potential to traffic SARS-CoV-2 virus to the placenta and increase the risk of vertical transmission to the placenta/fetus.
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28
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Zhao X, Mohammed R, Tran H, Erickson M, Kentner AC. Poly (I:C)-induced maternal immune activation modifies ventral hippocampal regulation of stress reactivity: prevention by environmental enrichment. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 95:203-215. [PMID: 33766701 PMCID: PMC8187276 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been successfully implemented in human rehabilitation settings. However, the mechanisms underlying its success are not understood. Incorporating components of EE protocols into our animal models allows for the exploration of these mechanisms and their role in mitigation. Using a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA), the present study explored disruptions in social behavior and associated hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning, and whether a supportive environment could prevent these effects. We show that prenatal immune activation of toll-like receptor 3, by the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), led to disrupted maternal care in that dams built poorer quality nests, an effect corrected by EE housing. Standard housed male and female MIA mice engaged in higher rates of repetitive rearing and had lower levels of social interaction, alongside sex-specific expression of several ventral hippocampal neural stress markers. Moreover, MIA males had delayed recovery of plasma corticosterone in response to a novel social encounter. Enrichment housing, likely mediated by improved maternal care, protected against these MIA-induced effects. We also evaluated c-Fos immunoreactivity associated with the novel social experience and found MIA to decrease neural activation in the dentate gyrus. Activation in the hypothalamus was blunted in EE housed animals, suggesting that the putative circuits modulating social behaviors may be different between standard and complex housing environments. These data demonstrate that augmentation of the environment supports parental care and offspring safety/security, which can offset effects of early health adversity by buffering HPA axis dysregulation. Our findings provide further evidence for the viability of EE interventions in maternal and pediatric settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Amanda C. Kentner
- Corresponding author: Amanda Kentner, , Office #617-274-3360, Fax # 617-732-2959
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29
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Malamitsi‐Puchner A. Improved periviability in Japan and dilemmas for non-communicable diseases in the COVID-19 era. Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:1696. [PMID: 33539036 PMCID: PMC8013860 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Malamitsi‐Puchner
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 3rd Department of Pediatrics National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
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Sarahian N, Saei Ghare Naz M, Ramezani Tehrani F. Following SARS-CoV-2 in the first trimester of pregnancy, what should we do in the 2nd, 3rd trimesters, and postpartum in terms of thyroid assessment? Endocrine 2021; 72:356-357. [PMID: 33721205 PMCID: PMC7958590 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-021-02678-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Sarahian
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Saei Ghare Naz
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani
- Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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Malamitsi‐Puchner A, Briana DD, Giudice L, Di Renzo GC. Could children born to mothers with COVID-19 be more prone to non-communicable diseases? Acta Paediatr 2021; 110:1367-1368. [PMID: 33438264 PMCID: PMC8013839 DOI: 10.1111/apa.15757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ariadne Malamitsi‐Puchner
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Despina D. Briana
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 3rd Department of Pediatrics National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Athens Greece
| | - Linda Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences University of California San Francisco CA USA
| | - Gian Carlo Di Renzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine University of Perugia Perugia Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology IM Sechenov First State University Moscow Russia
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