Pregnant women with COVID-19 at higher risk of stillbirths. Experts stress vaccination
Global News
Even though cases of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis are rare, a new study reveals the significant damage COVID-19 can do to a pregnant woman’s placenta.
A new study has revealed the deadly toll COVID-19 can take on the babies of unvaccinated pregnant women, underlining the importance of vaccination for expecting mothers.
The peer-reviewed research published in the journal Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine on Feb. 10 examined 68 perinatal deaths in 12 different countries.
The analysis shows that among 64 stillborn cases and four babies that died within seven days of being born, all the mothers had COVID-19 during pregnancy and were unvaccinated.
The researchers observed what they called “SARS-CoV-2 placentitis”. This is an uncommon complication in pregnant individuals with COVID-19 that causes unusual inflammation of the placenta, increased fibrin — a blood-clotting protein — and the death of body tissue in the protective cell layer of the placenta.
The study authors noted that the virus had caused widespread and severe destruction of the placenta — an organ that develops in a woman’s uterus during pregnancy and provides oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby.
Dr. David Schwartz, a perinatal pathologist and epidemiologist in Atlanta, Georgia, and the study’s lead author, said he was surprised to see such a high level of destruction. The average placenta was 77.7 percent destroyed by SARS-CoV-2 placentitis.
“The placenta is the sole source of oxygen and nutrition for the fetus. The severe extent of placental destruction we are seeing renders it incapable of performing its function of supporting the fetus, and it becomes incompatible with life,” he told Global News.
Dr. Graeme Smith, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Kingston Health Sciences Center in Queen’s University, said the stillbirths were likely caused by the damage done to the placenta rather than the baby getting infected with the virus.