A Critical Review of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) during Pregnancy & Risk of Vertical Transmission in the United States

Abstract

Since December 2019, people around the world have been affected by a pandemic disease caused by a novel type of betacoronavirus. It can lead to severe contagious respiratory illness. The experts are concerned about the effects of this novel virus on both the mother and their fetuses. This review is to identify strategies for the obstetric management of women diagnosed with COVID-19 and the best neonatal care for their newborns. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using PubMed, ELSEVIER and CDC web page and included the articles published from December 2019 through July 2020. Inclusion criteria were original articles published between December 2019 and July 2020 and Meta-Analysis, Reviews and, Systematic Reviews. Regarding vertical transmission, several studies concluded that there is no evidence for intrauterine vertical transmission of COVID-19 from infected mothers to their babies. Pregnant women with COVID-19 might develop more severe respiratory complications. After delivery, women with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to their babies through respiratory droplets during breastfeeding or care, so experts recommend to adopt hygienic measures. The current information shows that COVID-19 infection apparently is not associated with greater severity of the disease in pregnant women than in the general population. However, the data is minimal, and that represents a challenge for the obstetric care providers.