Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2021, 165(3):328-331 | DOI: 10.5507/bp.2021.044

Placental pathology concerning sudden foetal demise in SARS-CoV-2 positive asymptomatic pregnant female

Kamil Biringera, Jana Sivakovaa, Juraj Marcinekb, Terezia Pribulovaa, Tomas Rokosa, Erik Kozubika, Erik Kudelaa, Lukas Plankb
a Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic
b Department of Pathological Anatomy, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 is responsible for a worldwide increase in morbidity and mortality. The relationship of this infection to mother-to-child vertical transmission has not been elucidated yet. However, recent reports indicate a foetal death rate of up to 3%.

Methods: We report a case of sudden pre-term foetal demise in a woman positive for SARS-CoV-2 but asymptomatic, with physiological course of pregnancy.

Results: One of the possible explanations of sudden foetal death may be acute placental insufficiency caused by a SARS-CoV-2 placental infection or the development of foetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS).

Conclusion: Considering the potential risk of foetal demise, questions remain regarding foetal monitoring and the timing of labour and delivery in the second and third trimesters, particularly in asymptomatic or mild maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. A relevant multidisciplinary team must also be aware of these risks associated with possibly fatal consequences.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, placenta, foetal demise

Received: April 15, 2021; Revised: June 25, 2021; Accepted: June 28, 2021; Prepublished online: July 20, 2021; Published: September 20, 2021  Show citation

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Biringer, K., Sivakova, J., Marcinek, J., Pribulova, T., Rokos, T., Kozubik, E., Kudela, E., & Plank, L. (2021). Placental pathology concerning sudden foetal demise in SARS-CoV-2 positive asymptomatic pregnant female. Biomedical papers, 165(3), 328-331. doi: 10.5507/bp.2021.044
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