Fetal Deaths in Ireland Due to SARS-CoV-2 Placentitis Caused by SARS-CoV-2 Alpha.
Arch Pathol Lab Med
; 146(5): 529-537, 2022 05 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1622802
ABSTRACT
CONTEXT. A severe third wave of COVID-19 disease affected Ireland in the first 3 months of 2021. In this wave, 1 second-trimester miscarriage and 6 stillbirths were observed in the Irish population because of placental insufficiency as a result of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis. This observation was at odds with the country's previous experience with COVID-19 disease in pregnant mothers. OBJECTIVE. To describe the clinical and pathologic features of these pregnancy losses. DESIGN. Retrospective review of clinical and pathologic data of cases of second-trimester miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death identified by perinatal pathologists as being due to SARS-CoV-2 placentitis during the third wave of COVID-19 in Ireland. RESULTS. Clinical and pathologic data were available for review in 6 pregnancies. Sequencing or genotyping of the virus identified SARS-CoV-2 alpha (B.1.1.7) in all cases. Three of the 6 cases had maternal thrombocytopenia, and fetal growth restriction was not prominent, suggesting a rapidly progressive placental disease. CONCLUSIONS. The identification of SARS-CoV-2 alpha in all these cases suggests that the emergence of the variant was associated with an increased risk of fetal death due to SARS-CoV-2 placentitis when compared with the original virus. Maternal thrombocytopenia may have potential as a clinical marker of placentitis, but other inflammatory markers need investigation. Three of the 6 women had been assessed for reduced fetal movements in hospital some days before the fetal deaths actually occurred; this could suggest that there may be a window for intervention in some cases.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
Thrombocytopenia
/
Abortion, Spontaneous
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Variants
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Infant, Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Arch Pathol Lab Med
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Arpa.2021-0586-SA
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