Changes in physiology and immune system during pregnancy and coronavirus infection: A review

Miaomiao Chen1, Jing Zeng2, Xiyao Liu2

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, No. 1 Youyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China; Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, No. 745 Wuluo Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, 430070, China.

Insights

Pregnant women face higher risks from COVID-19 due to physiological changes. This study explores their susceptibility to coronaviruses and links maternal symptoms to perinatal outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology and Immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, causing COVID-19, presents a global health challenge.
  • Pregnant women are identified as a high-risk group for coronavirus infections.
  • Previous coronaviruses include SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, with significant public health impact.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the reasons behind increased coronavirus susceptibility in pregnant women.
  • To analyze the relationship between maternal clinical symptoms and coronavirus infection.
  • To describe the impact of maternal coronavirus infection on perinatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of physiological and immunological adaptations during pregnancy.
  • Analysis of clinical data correlating maternal symptoms with infection status.
  • Examination of perinatal outcomes in relation to maternal coronavirus infections.

Main Results:

  • Pregnancy-induced physiological and immune system changes contribute to heightened susceptibility.
  • Specific maternal clinical symptoms are associated with coronavirus infection.
  • Coronavirus infections in pregnant women show correlations with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding pregnancy-specific vulnerabilities is crucial for managing coronavirus infections.
  • Monitoring maternal symptoms aids in early detection and intervention.
  • The findings highlight the importance of protecting pregnant women and their fetuses from viral threats.

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
601
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
211
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.4K
Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
3.8K
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
4.8K