Post-COVID-19 fatigue and cytokine profile in pregnant women: a longitudinal cohort study

Post-COVID-19 fatigue and cytokine profile in pregnant women: a longitudinal cohort study | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 29 January 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Post-COVID-19 fatigue and cytokine profile in pregnant women: a longitudinal cohort study Authors : Ana Cristina Alves dos Santos , Patricia Palmeira Daenekas Jorge , Simone Corrêa da Silva , Gabriella Ferreira Demarque 0000-0001-7104-8931 , Philippe Mayaud , Mara Sandra Hoshida , Ana Maria da Silva Oliveira , Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco , Maria de Lourdes Brizot , and Mariana Azevedo Carvalho 0000-0001-7193-4917 [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176965928.88006738/v1 109 views 63 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Post-viral fatigue is one of the most frequent long-term sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disproportionately affects women. The underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, particularly during pregnancy. This longitudinal study evaluated the association between cytokines and post-COVID-19 fatigue in pregnant women (n = 117, significant fatigue n = 61, non significant n =56), considering disease severity and time since infection. Pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 were followed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after infection. Fatigue was assessed using validated questionnaires, and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory (sCD40L, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1Ra, IL-10, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3) were quantified using multiplex assays. Women with significant general fatigue showed higher levels of IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-1Ra, IL-10, and TGF-β1, particularly at 6 weeks and 3 months post-infection. The most consistent differences were observed among those with severe COVID-19. Delivery did not significantly influence cytokine concentrations. These findings suggest that post-COVID-19 fatigue during pregnancy is associated with a pattern of persistent and dysregulated inflammation in the early post-infection period, especially following severe disease. Supplementary Material File (manuscript_01_27_26.doc) Download 114.50 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 29 January 2026 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords coronavirus cytokines disease control immune responses inflammation virus classification Authors Affiliations Ana Cristina Alves dos Santos Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Patricia Palmeira Daenekas Jorge Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Simone Corrêa da Silva Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Gabriella Ferreira Demarque 0000-0001-7104-8931 Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Philippe Mayaud London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health View all articles by this author Mara Sandra Hoshida Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Ana Maria da Silva Oliveira Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Rossana Pulcineli Vieira Francisco Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Maria de Lourdes Brizot Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Mariana Azevedo Carvalho 0000-0001-7193-4917 [email protected] Universidade de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Medicina View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 109 views 63 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Ana Cristina Alves dos Santos, Patricia Palmeira Daenekas Jorge, Simone Corrêa da Silva, et al. Post-COVID-19 fatigue and cytokine profile in pregnant women: a longitudinal cohort study. Authorea . 29 January 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.176965928.88006738/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . 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