COVID-19 and pregnancy: Lessons from 2020

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic generated a vast body of literature on human coronaviruses and pregnancy.
• Previous coronavirus outbreaks (e.g., SARS, MERS) provided limited data for comparison.
• This is the first time robust conclusions can be drawn regarding coronavirus impact on pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and describe major learning points from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic concerning pregnancy.
• To compare and contrast findings from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with expectations based on previous coronavirus outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Analysis of case studies and publications related to COVID-19 and pregnancy.
• Comparative analysis with data from prior human coronavirus outbreaks.

Main Results:

• The sheer volume of SARS-CoV-2 data allows for unprecedentedly robust conclusions on pregnancy outcomes.
• Certain impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy align with or differ from observations in prior coronavirus outbreaks.
• Key learning points reveal new insights into the specific effects of this novel coronavirus.

Conclusions:

• The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly advanced our understanding of coronavirus infections in pregnancy.
• Comparing SARS-CoV-2 findings with previous outbreaks offers critical insights and refines expectations.
• Continued research and knowledge synthesis are vital for managing future viral threats in pregnancy.