Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection and preterm birth

Bianca Pulinx1, Davy Kieffer1, Ian Michiels2

  • 1Department of Clinical Biology, Sint-Trudo Hospital, Diestersteenweg 100, 3800, Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

Viral infections are common complications of pregnancy, with a wide range of obstetric and neonatal sequelae. Currently, there are limited data on whether SARS-CoV-2 is vertically transmitted in pregnant women tested positive for the virus. Here we describe a case of a known SARS-CoV-2-positive woman giving preterm birth to two fetuses with SARS-CoV-2 positive testing in placental tissue and amniotic fluid. The placental histological examinations showed chronic intervillositis and extensive intervillous fibrin depositions with ischemic necrosis of the surrounding villi.

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