A Systematic Review of Neurological Complications in Pregnant Women With COVID-19

Mihirkumar P Parmar1, Ritik Kathal2, Sravani Bhavanam3

  • 1Internal Medicine, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Vadnagar, IND.

Cureus
|April 24, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Neurologic complications affect pregnant women with COVID-19, impacting both central and peripheral nervous systems. Early detection and management of these neurological issues during pregnancy are crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents significant global health challenges.
  • Neurological manifestations are recognized in the general COVID-19 population, but data on pregnant women are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and summarize existing literature on neurological conditions in pregnant women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To understand the spectrum and frequency of neurological impacts in this specific demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review of 15 selected studies (case reports, retrospective, prospective, editorials) meeting inclusion criteria.
  • Analysis focused on pregnant women with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and a diagnosed neurological condition.

Main Results:

  • Neurological conditions affected both central and peripheral nervous systems equally.
  • Identified conditions included Guillain-Barré syndrome, vestibulocochlear neuritis, eclampsia-like conditions, and other neurological diseases.
  • Median gestational age at presentation was 34 weeks, with a median maternal age of 32.5 years.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 can lead to diverse neurological complications in pregnant individuals.
  • This review highlights the importance of considering neurological assessments in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the impact and management strategies for these conditions.