Maternal and neonatal complications in pregnancy with COVID-19: a systematic review

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on global health, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Pregnancy can weaken the maternal immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and increase the risk of severe adverse outcomes for both mother and fetus or newborn. Despite the well-known effects of viruses on pregnancy and the potential association with congenital anomalies, the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy is still not fully understood. Here we systematically gathered and analyzed data from studies reporting the effects of maternal COVID-19 infection on mothers and their newborns. Through a comprehensive search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, 20 relevant studies were identified. Our analysis revealed that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality and are more likely to require admission to the intensive care unit. Their newborns are also at increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. Our findings highlight the vulnerability of pregnant women and their newborns to COVID-19 complications and underscore the need for further research to better understand modes of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the potential for congenital anomalies in early pregnancy infections.