Mild to moderate COVID-19 in pregnant women appears to have no effect on the brain of the developing fetus, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
Two years after the pandemic, there is evidence that pregnant women are more vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. However, little is known about the possible consequences for the fetus if the mother becomes infected during pregnancy. The probability and impact of vertical transmission, that is, the passage of the virus from mother to fetus, remain unclear.
“Women infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy are concerned that the virus could affect the developing fetus, as is the case with other viral infections,” said study lead author Sophia Stöcklein, from the Department of Radiology. from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, in Germany. “So far, although there are some reports of vertical transmission to the fetus, the exact risk and impact remain unclear. The aim of our study was to fill this gap in knowledge about the impact of a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal brain development.”
Brain development in the areas tested was age-appropriate for all fetuses. There were no findings indicative of infection of the fetal brain.
Dr. Stöcklein and colleagues used fetal MRI to study 33 patients with COVID-19 infection during pregnancy. The patients were approximately 28 weeks pregnant, on average, and symptoms appeared at an average of just over 18 weeks pregnant. The most common maternal symptoms of COVID-19 were loss or decreased sense of smell and taste, dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath.
Two board-certified radiologists with several years of experience in fetal MRI evaluated the scans. They found that brain development in the areas tested was age-appropriate for all fetuses. There were no findings indicative of fetal brain infection.
“In our study, there was no evidence that a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection has any effect on fetal brain development,” said Dr. Stöcklein. “This fact should help reassure affected parents.”
Getting vaccinated despite finding no damage to fetal development
Dr. Stöcklein cautioned that only mothers with mild to moderate symptoms and without hospitalization were included in the study. For this reason, they clarify that, “given that the impact of a serious infection on the development of the fetal brain has not been conclusively determined, active protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy remains important” , He said.
As part of that protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older, including women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The CDC notes that the vaccine can protect against serious diseases.
“Until now, vaccination is the most promising protection against COVID-19,” said Dr. Stöcklein. “Any potential side effects are manageable, even in pregnant women. Therefore, despite the encouraging results of our study, pregnant women should seriously consider vaccination.”
The researchers will follow the patients for the next five years, including detailed neonatal evaluation as well as neurodevelopmental evaluation.
Source: RSNA
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